End of Life Choice Act Training and Information Sheets

21 June 2022

The Ministry of Health is leading the work programme to implement the End of Life Choice Act 2019 and introduce an assisted dying service in New Zealand from 7 November 2021.

A key part of the Ministry’s implementation work is providing guidance, information and training to support health professionals prepare for the introduction of assisted dying services.  

First learning module about the Act and assisted dying is now available

 The first online training module providing an overview of the Act and assisted dying is now available for health professionals.

Health professionals may be asked about assisted dying and may choose to be involved in different ways. They can also choose not to be involved.

The End of Life Choice Act 2019: Overview (learnonline.health.nz) module will help health professionals develop a working knowledge of their roles and responsibilities under the Act, including conscientious objection. 

This 20-minute module covers:

• an overview of the Act and assisted dying
• some of the key safeguards in the assisted dying process; and
• how assisted dying fits into existing health professional roles.

If you have questions about this module or you don’t have a LearnOnline login please see: this learner information on the Ministry website for more details. Please note this downloads a pdf.

End of Life Choice Act 2019 implementation information sheets

Alongside the learning module, three information sheets are available on the Ministry of Health website covering:

• Information for health professionals about the Act and assisted dying
• Information for health service providers about preparing for the implementation of assisted dying
• Information for the public about the Act and assisted dying.

These materials will be kept updated as part of implementation.

Learning from international experience

The first in a series of End of Life Choice Act 2019 implementation webinars for health professionals will be hosted on 2 June 2021 between 7pm and 8pm. 

This webinar is for health professionals only. It may be of particular interest to health practitioners, including medical and nurse practitioners, who may be involved in providing assisted dying services in New Zealand.

For further information and to register for this webinar please follow this link.

For further information and to keep updated on the End of Life Choice Act visit the Ministry of Health website here or sign up for the End of Life Choice Act 2019 implementation programme newsletter here.