A concerned medic from New Zealand has said it is “despicable” that doctors are being offered money to entice them to perform euthanasia. Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications, said: “Killing patients instead of caring for them violates medical ethics. Pressuring doctors to offer euthanasia using funding incentives is totally abhorrent.”

The End-of-Life Choice Act, which allows doctors to euthanise vulnerable patients, was introduced in 2020 after New Zealanders voted in favour of euthanasia.

However, a doctor from Otago believes that the Ministry of Health could be using financial incentives in an attempt to attract doctors who may be resisting involvement in euthanasia.

Using “funding arrangements” as an enticement

The Ministry of Health released a survey for medical professionals in New Zealand to gauge their opinion on participating in the regime.

One doctor responded to the survey stating that he would not participate in euthanasia. The survey then asked him: “What areas would you want more information on for you to be willing to provide assisted dying services?” The medic was left “shocked” when “funding arrangements” was among the possible answers to select.

The doctor has called the Ministry of Health’s proposition “despicable” and feels strongly that the question offered the possibility of money influencing a doctor’s position on euthanasia.

SPUC’s Michael Robinson said: “This doctor’s account is indeed unsettling. Even in countries such as Canada, euthanasia advocates have pushed for higher pay for doctors who euthanise their patients.

“It is disturbingly clear that finances are being used to sway doctors to offer assisted suicide to their patients.”