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Assisted dying remains ongoing discussion for local health authority

Apr 29, 2016 | 6:00 AM

The bill for assisted dying is still winding its way through the legislative system and the Prince Albert Parkland Regional Health Authority feels plans to offer the service to local patients is not quite ready.

“Just in the legislation there’s been criticism publicly from different groups,” Doug Dahl, Communications Officer for P.A. Parkland Health Region, said. “Some people thought it should be broader, some people think it should be more narrow. It’s all over the place.”

As it stands right now, Bill C-14 will allow for a patient who has an incurable disease, illness or disability, access to the service. The person asking for the service must be at least 18 years old and have given signed consent. A patient would then have to wait a full 15 days, from the day written consent is signed to the actual day of appointment. From there, the nurse practitioner or physician assisting would have to again confirm with the patient they’re sure they want to follow through.

Dahl said Bill C-14 is tentative for the local area at the moment and a lot still needs to be discussed, both provincially and locally, before assisted dying can be offered to patients.

“What are the processes around their involvement, the ethical descent issue and sort of how all those things could be implemented to support people who have made that decision and are seeking that type of service,” he added.

As for physicians and nurses in the local area, Dahl said he couldn’t comment on their opinions, but said there needs to be more discussion with providers on how Bill C-14 will be implemented locally and how they plan to refer patients looking into the service.

“I think it’s just a matter of what the processes will be. Understanding what the legislation is, the parameters that are involved and making sure that information is available for the public to understand, but also the providers, so they’re aware of what their potential responsibilities would be,” he said.

The Prince Albert Parkland Regional Health Authority says more information regarding Bill C-14 will become available in the coming months, following consultation with the Ministry of Health.

In 2015, Canada’s top court ruled the ban on doctor-assisted suicide was unconstitutional and the House of Common’s first reading of Bill C-14 took place this month.

Miranda.brumwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @mlbrumwell