Professional Practice & Code of Practice

As an independent end-of-life doula, I am committed to providing safe, respectful and ethical support to individuals and families.

My practice is non-medical and person-centred. I aim to provide information, practical and emotional support, and a calm and respectful presence while honouring each person’s values, choices and individual circumstances.

Code of Conduct

I practise in accordance with the NSW Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners, which establishes standards of conduct for unregistered health practitioners and is intended to protect the health and safety of the public.

[Read the NSW Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners]

Scope of Practice

As an end-of-life doula, my role is non-medical.

I provide emotional, practical and informational support to people approaching the end of life and to their families and support networks.

I do not provide clinical or medical care. I do not diagnose conditions, prescribe, supply or administer medications, recommend that a person commence or cease medical treatment, or make healthcare or other personal decisions on a client’s behalf.

Where a matter falls outside my scope of practice, I will encourage the client or family to seek assistance from an appropriately qualified health professional or other service.

My role is to support people to understand their options and make their own informed choices, helping them maintain choice, capacity and control wherever possible.

Respect for Individual Choice

Every person’s experience of dying, death and grief is different.

I respect each client’s values, preferences, relationships and decisions. My role is not to impose my own beliefs or preferences, but to support clients in identifying what matters to them and making choices that reflect their own wishes.

Where family members or others are involved, the wishes, autonomy and dignity of the client remain central to my practice.

Cultural, Spiritual & Individual Respect

I welcome and respect people of different cultures, backgrounds, identities, beliefs and ways of life.

I work with sensitivity towards each person’s cultural, religious and spiritual traditions and practices, including those who do not identify with a religion or spiritual tradition.

Support is guided by the client’s own values, beliefs and preferences.

Professional Boundaries

I maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries to support safe and ethical relationships with clients and families.

Services are provided by appointment and within the scope of the services we have agreed upon.

I will communicate clearly about my role and its limitations and will not undertake work that falls outside my scope of practice.

Safety

The safety and wellbeing of clients, families and myself are important considerations in providing services.

I reserve the right to decline, postpone or discontinue a service where there is a significant health or safety concern or where I cannot provide the service safely and appropriately.

When working in homes, healthcare facilities or other settings, I follow appropriate hygiene and infection-prevention practices.

Confidentiality

Personal and sensitive information shared with me is treated with care and confidentiality.

Further information about how personal information is collected, used, stored and disclosed is available in my Privacy Policy.

Professional Responsibility

I maintain appropriate professional indemnity insurance and take responsibility for working within my knowledge, skills and scope of practice.

I am committed to providing services with integrity, respect and care, and to recognising when another professional or service is better placed to meet a client’s needs.