Sample letter to write to your local medical practice manager

Practice Manager

_____________Medical Centre,

[Town or city]

Dear Practice Manager,

We are aware that the End of Life Choice Act 2019, [EOLCA] comes into force on 7 November 2021.

My family is emphatically opposed to this legislation which violates the ethics of the medical profession, and may destroy the trust that the community has in the medical profession and is a threat to the lives of the vulnerable in our community.

There are many people in our community who would refuse to place their trust in a doctor who would be prepared to place their life and health in the care of another doctor, who is prepared to consider ending the life of the patient by killing them as a treatment option.

It is my belief that if this legislation is not repealed it will ultimately destroy the good reputation of the medical profession in New Zealand.

We fully support the ethics of the medical profession and commend the profession for opposing this dangerous legislation. We appreciate and wish to protect the ethical and professional services that we receive from the staff at the _______________Medical Centre.

We are aware that the World Medical Association, the NZ Medical Association [NZMA] and the NZ College of General Practitioners are opposed to doctors killing their patients or assisting in their suicide. We really encourage the staff at your Medical Centre to protect your patients and uphold medical ethics, by refusing on conscience grounds, to co-operate in any way with the EOLCA.

The NZMA have stated that their position on this issue is not dependent on euthanasia and doctor-assisted suicide remaining unlawful.

The NZMA position is that “Even if they were to become legal, or decriminalised, the NZMA would continue to regard them as unethical.”

We respectfully request that to protect your patients and your medical practice you resolve to make the ________________Medical Centre a “euthanasia free” practice, where patients may be confident that their GP will not be involved in the processes which will lead to euthanasia or assisted suicide.

We also request that you convey this commendable defence of life to all your patients.

I would be most grateful if you will consider my proposal and advise me of your decision.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name and signature]