Man almost dies after allegedly taking partner's VAD drugs at Gold Coast University Hospital
Queensland's voluntary assisted dying (VAD) procedures have been "tightened" after a man nearly died allegedly taking the drugs his partner had just used to end her life.
The incident at the Gold Coast University Hospital's VAD unit earlier this month is currently under investigation, Queensland Health has confirmed.
The ABC understands the probe is also looking into allegations a health worker drank shots of alcohol with the couple before the drugs were taken.
The VAD patient's partner had to be resuscitated with Naloxone, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, and was admitted to the emergency department, sources have confirmed.
The couple's adult child was reportedly also there.
A Gold Coast Hospital and Health spokesperson said, "additional steps" have been taken to "strengthen clinical hospital processes over and above the requirements of the voluntary assisted dying legislation".
"All appropriate authorities had been notified, and appropriate support has been offered to the family," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said they could not comment further while the investigation was underway.
A brief about the incident has been given to Health Minister Tim Nicholls, his spokesperson has confirmed.
The spokesperson said a report would be prepared for the coroner, and the hospital was carrying out a review.
Do you know more about this story? Email Callinan.Rory@abc.net.au
It is the second time a person has taken the VAD drugs provided to their partner to end their life.
In 2023, a man died after he ingested drugs that had been meant for his partner.
He had been responsible for the VAD drugs when they were delivered to the couple's home.
On the day the drugs arrived, his wife was admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
The wife then decided to take a VAD drug at the hospital and died in hospital.
The man was told to return the take-at-home drugs within two days of his partner's death but failed to do so and instead took them to end his life.
A 2024 coroner's inquest into the man's death found the laws had failed to find a balance between a patient's autonomy and lethal medication safety.
Coroner David O'Connell said the self-administered process was not adequately thought through and recommended a health professional be present every time the deadly substance was administered.
The former Labor government promised a review at the time, which is due to happen in January next year, according to the Health Department's VAD website.
The VAD legislation was introduced in Queensland in 2021.
By September last year, more than 1,000 Queenslanders had used the VAD program.
Queensland Health's Gold Coast service on its website describes its VAD service as having strict eligibility criteria.
It says a person must have an eligible condition, which is advanced, progressive and will cause death.
They must also be expected to die within 12 months, and their illness must cause suffering that the person considers intolerable.
The patient must also have capacity to make the decision and be acting voluntarily as well as being at least 18 years of age, according to the site.
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