1. Make your first request

A person having a conversation with a doctor.

If you decide to use voluntary assisted dying, you need to ask a doctor to help you.

We call this your first request.

A person next to someone else pointing at themself with their other hand raised. The other person has a speech bubble with a cross next to it.

No one else can make the first request for you.

A person with an interpreter having a conversation with a doctor.

But you can use an interpreter if you need support to communicate with your doctor.

An interpreter translating for 2 people.

An interpreter is someone who:

  • uses your language
  • helps you understand what someone is saying.

A doctor using a digital tablet.

You don’t need to find an interpreter.

Your doctor will do this for you.

A person offering training to a group of people. Behind them is a board with a tick next to it.

Only people with the right training can be your interpreter.

A family of 5 people with a cross next to them.

Your interpreter cannot be a person from your family.

A person pointing to themself with their other hand raised. They have a speech bubble with an icon of a cross over themselves in it.

You must be clear when you ask the doctor for voluntary assisted dying.

A doctor with a speech bubble that has a tick in it.

The doctor will let you know if they accept your first request.

A doctor with a speech bubble that has a cross in it.

Sometimes a doctor might say no to your first request.

This could be because they:

A stack of calendars with a cross above them.

  • have not been a doctor for long enough

A person offering training to a group of people. Behind them is a board with a cross next to it.

  • have not done the training for voluntary assisted dying.

A doctor with a speech bubble that has a thumbs down in it.

A doctor might also say no to your first request because they don’t support voluntary assisted dying.

A group of doctors.

If a doctor tells you no, you can make a first request with a different doctor.