As Parliament debates voluntary assisted dying legislation, euthanasia is dominating the public debate, with many seeing the choice as an alternative to suffering for terminally ill patients.

For Palliative care physician and chairman of WA Palliative Medicine Specialist Group Dr Anil Tandon, the solution is already ready here – palliative care.

Dr Tandon is concerned euthanasia will put pressure on doctors and impact vulnerable people nearing the end of their lives.

“We’ve seen family members fighting over people at the end of life, even though they are over the death bed. I’m not trying to be sensationalist or alarmist, but it happens,” he said.

He joins Jane to discuss the need to improve palliative care in Australia and his concerns around the proposed euthanasia laws.

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