Expression of Interest Application Form
Royal Australasian College of Physicians (the College) Euthanasia and Physician Assisted
Death Working Party
Information for Applicants
Applications are invited from Fellows and trainees of the College who are interested in becoming a
member of the College’s Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Death Working Party.
Role of the Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Death Working Party
The purpose of this Working Party is to develop a College position on euthanasia and physician assisted
death. The Working Party‘s focus will include:

Developing a position statement which engages with the substantive ethical issues regarding
euthanasia and physician assisted death and develops a clear position or positions on these
issues using a fair, balanced, robust and transparent process.
The Working Party is tasked with delivering the following outputs

A proposed workplan; to be approved by CPAC

Documenting a fair, balanced, robust and transparent process for consulting with the
membership, relevant College bodies and other stakeholders in the community, before coming
to a College position(s)

A discussion paper which comprehensively engages with the substantive ethical issues related to
euthanasia and physician assisted death

Conducting a broad and robust consultation process with Fellows

Developing a College position and policy on euthanasia and physician assisted death

Developing recommendations on issues related to euthanasia and physician assisted death

To contribute to the development of agreed speaking points articulating these key points and
recommendations from the College’s position on Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Death, to
support the President, President-Elect and other appointed College spokespeople on this matter.

Other documents, models and materials to deliver on the Working Party’s agreed workplan
Conditions

The Working Party will be a time-limited group that will be in existence for 12 months from the
date of the first face-to-face meeting of the Working Party, unless otherwise extended by the
College Policy & Advocacy Committee (CPAC) Council.

Members must always respect the contributions of other members to debate and discussion in
meetings. Members will be encouraged (through the Chair) to debate issues openly and
constructively and be free to question or challenge opinions presented at meetings that differ
from their own.
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
A Working Party Chair will be appointed by the College CPAC Council, upon recommendation
from the Selection Panel, to whom the Working Party reports.

The Working Party will have the option to seek advice from non-College members when specific
expertise is required.

The Working Party will be supported by the College Policy & Advocacy unit to deliver the
expected outputs.

Membership of the Working Party is on a voluntary basis. There is no remuneration attached for
membership.
Membership Criteria
This Working Party will comprise eight or nine members, with a quorum of five.
The criteria for membership of the Working Party include:
1. Membership of a Division, Faculty or Chapter of the College, and contemporary medical
practice/training experience.
2. Demonstrated commitment and ability to work collaboratively and commit sufficient time to
delivering the required outcomes within the agreed timeframe.
3. Expertise in relevant areas such as: ethics, physician clinical practice, paediatric clinical practice,
aged and extended care, disability care, palliative care, and end of life care.
4. The ability to acknowledge, respect, analyse and evaluate different views, and to be open to
critical reflection on their own convictions and values on complex ethical issues.
5. Demonstrated understanding of ethical frameworks and the ethical issues related to euthanasia
and physician assisted death, the diversity of current physician practice, and appreciation of
different perspectives within the College and the community.
6. An understanding of issues related to care of vulnerable groups.
7. No previous or current professional or personal connections that is determined by the Selection
Panel to be a conflict of interest with the work of this RACP Working Party.
Applicants are invited to also apply to be the Working Party Chair. The Chair will facilitate members’
discussions and debate which are to be conducted in a respectful and collegial manner, with independent
thought to be encouraged in consideration of the Working Party’s business.
To be considered for this role, please also address the following criteria:
1. Demonstrated experience in chairing working parties / reference groups
2. Demonstrated understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Chair
3. Willingness and ability to commit additional time and workload associated with being
Chair
4. Understanding and experience of problem solving and conflict resolution approaches
5. Demonstrated leadership skills and experience
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Selection of members
A Selection Panel comprising representatives of the College Policy & Advocacy Committee (CPAC), the
Ethics Committee (EC), the Director P&A Unit, and if required other Fellow(s) with recognised expertise in
the subject, will recommend appointment to the Working Party and the appointment of the Chair. CPAC
will formally appoint members and approve the Chair for this Working Party.
Position Details
As a member of this Working Party, you will be required to:

Report regularly to the College Policy & Advocacy Committee (CPAC) about progress

Adhere to the Terms of Reference of this Working Party

Adhere to the Governance of College Bodies By-Law

Adhere to the College’s policies and procedures, including Working Together policy and RACP
Code of Conduct.
Refer to Attachments:
1. Terms of Reference
2. College By-Law: Governance of College Bodies
3. RACP Working Together Policy
4. RACP Code of Conduct
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Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Death Working Party Expression of Interest
Please complete the sections below.
Applicant Details
Title
Given Names
Family Name
MIN
Fellow
Trainee
Contact Details
Address
Phone (work)
Phone (mobile / home)
Email
Selection Criteria
1. Please indicate your membership of a Division, Faculty or Chapter of the College, and briefly
outline your contemporary medical practice/training experience.
2. Please outline your interest and experience in the issues to be examined by the Working
Party, commitment to working collaboratively to explore these issues in depth, and capacity
to commit sufficient time to deliver the required outcomes.
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3. Please briefly detail your expertise in a relevant area including: ethics, physician clinical
practice, paediatric clinical practice, aged and extended care, disability care, palliative care,
and end of life care.
4. Please describe your perspective on the importance of respecting, analysing and assessing
different views on complex ethical issues, and your capacity to reflect critically on your own
convictions and values.
5. Please briefly outline your understanding of ethical frameworks and the ethical issues
related to euthanasia and physician assisted death, the diversity of current physician
practice, and appreciation of different perspectives within the College and the community.
6. Please detail your understanding of issues related to care of vulnerable groups.
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7. Please indicate whether you have previous or current professional or personal connections
that may be perceived as a conflict of interest with the work of this RACP Working Party.
Please tick if you wish to apply to be Chair of the Working Party.
If so, please complete additional Chair selection criteria below.
EXPECTATIONS OF THE CHAIR OF A COLLEGE BODY
The Chair of a College Body is expected to provide leadership to the group and this involves greater
responsibilities than the role of a member of a College Body. College Body Chairs need to commit to
being more available than other Working Party members, including the time associated with agenda
and general meeting preparation, and familiarising themselves with the items of business to guide
their colleagues as required.
Particular elements required from the Working Party Chair include:
- Providing leadership to the WP and across the College on the matter
- Managing meetings, including preparation and running of meetings
- Managing discussions and negotiating (agreement and) decision-making within the WP
- Ability to commit extra time, for example to act as a College spokesperson on the subject
matter, and represent the College on external bodies or at external events relevant to the
matter.
1. Please briefly outline your previous experience of Chairing a Working Party or similar group
(doesn’t need to have been a College body).
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2. Please outline your understanding of the role and responsibilities of a Chair.
3. Please outline your ability to commit to the extra time and workload required of the Chair.
4. Please outline your experience of problem solving and conflict resolution approaches
5. Please provide an example where you have demonstrated leadership and effective influence.
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Curriculum Vitae
Attached 
Please attach a copy of your CV as relevant to the position.
Additional Comments and Supporting Materials
Referees
Please provide the name of two referees that may support your application for this position.
Referee 1
Referee 2
Name:
Contact phone:
Contact email:
Relationship:
Signature
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Please email your completed application form to policy@racp.edu.au
Your application must be received by close of business 29 February 2016 .
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