A woman who is expected to be among the first to have her life ended under new euthanasia laws says having control over her own death is a 'huge relief'.
Victoria is the first state in Australia's history to allow legal euthanasia for terminally ill patients, with laws taking effect on Wednesday.
Margaret Radmore, a nurse of more than 40 years, is expected to be one of the people to utilise the euthanasia scheme after being diagnosed with bowel cancer and was given 12 months to live.
An estimated four people per week will have their lives ended under the new law, though the numbers will be fewer initially as the legal and consent processes have to start from scratch.
Margaret Radmore (pictured), a nurse of more than 40 years, has been given 12 months to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer which has spread to her liver. In March, she decided to stop chemotherapy and 'let nature take its course'
The Alfred hospital (pictured) will have three pharmacists on staff who will be responsible for mixing the drug and personally delivering it to patients throughout Victoria. Every other region will have at least one public health service available
Margaret Radmore, a nurse of more than 40 years, has been given 12 months to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer which has spread to her liver.
In March, she decided to stop chemotherapy and 'let nature take its course.'
'One of my very first thoughts when I was given my diagnosis, is the terror of anticipating a bad death,' she said on Sunday, noting a good death was a person being as a comfortable as possible.
Ms Radmore is expected to be among those dozen Victorians to access the fatal drugs in the first year of the new law.
'When this legislation was passed it was a huge relief to me,' Ms Radmore said.
'I am perfectly comfortable with my fate and it is a very sad thing to be living through but the fact that I have control at the end is really important to me.
'I might not even use the medication but just knowing it is there. I am really keen to start the process to have the kit because then I can just put it in the cupboard and just get on with living.'
'I am perfectly comfortable with my fate and it is a very sad thing to be living through but the fact that I have control at the end is really important to me,' Ms Radmore said
Over 100 doctors, one third in regional Victoria, have been training in preparation for the new law which requires patients to meet strict criteria to be allowed access to the lethal drugs which will be held at The Alfred hospital.
Under the voluntary assisted dying laws, patients must be of sound mind and have been diagnosed with a condition expected to kill them within a year, or within six months for those with neurodegenerative conditions.
Up to 200 Victorians are expected to access the assisted dying scheme each year, though the government believes as few as 12 will be euthanized in the next 12 months.
