Helpdesk for doctors and nurses dealing with end-of-life issues

September 27, 2013 Announcements

Doctors and nurses working in Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba who have to make medical decisions regarding the end of life of a patient can now consult a Dutch colleague who is specialised in this area free of charge. This assistance is provided by specially trained and independent doctors and nurses affiliated with Support and Consultation for Euthanasia in the Netherlands (Steun en Consultatie bij Euthanasie in Nederland, or SCEN).

The SCEN doctor or nurse can provide you with information, support and advice when dealing with matters surrounding the end of life of a patient, such as living wills, advance refusal of treatment, palliative sedation and euthanasia.

As a doctor you can also arrange a formal consultation with a SCEN doctor regarding a case of requested euthanasia or assisted suicide. Under the Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide Act (the so-called ‘Euthanasia Law’), a doctor who has received a request for euthanasia from a patient must seek the advice of a second independent doctor. There is no charge for this.

The KNMG Physician Info Line will put you in touch with a SCEN doctor or nurse.

KNMG Physician Info Line telephone:
0031 – 30 – 28 23 322, select option 2.

Open: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Dutch time (GMT +1).

All calls will be treated confidentially.

E-mail: scen@fed.knmg.nl

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