Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) allows eligible people who are suffering from a terminal health condition to receive medical assistance to end their life, under specific legal and medical guidelines.
Tips & Links
- Medical assistance in dying (MAiD) occurs when a health care professional administers medication that intentionally brings about a person’s death, at that person’s request. This procedure is only available to people who are assessed as eligible.
- The eligibility criteria for MAiD describes that the health condition must be ‘grievous and irremediable’ and one that is serious and incurable, causing enduring suffering that is intolerable to the individual. The condition can be due to illness, disease, injury, or disability.
- Review how the government of BC outlines the eligibility of those who can have MAiD in BC. A thorough assessment process is carried out by 2 health care professionals in order to confirm eligibility.
- Understand that you must provide informed consent, meaning you fully understand the nature of MAiD and its implications. You have the right to refuse or withdraw your request at any time.
- Learn how to navigate the steps for medical assistance in dying from Dying with Dignity Canada. Things to consider are how to start the process (might take up to 7 days to coordinate), getting 2 assessments, and where and who you want to support the provision of MAiD.
- Learn how to start a formal request for MAiD by completing the BC Ministry of Health’s Patient Request Record (form 1632). You can submit the form to your family physician, nurse practitioner, specialist, or to the MAiD Care Coordination Service for your health authority (see contact information at the end of the form).
- Watch the video “Navigating a request for medical assistance in dying in BC” by Dr Osmann Sheikh for a complete summary.
- Learn about how other families and family caregivers are coping with the grief and loss of a loved one through Family Caregivers of BC.
- Consider contacting the trained volunteers at BC Bereavement Helpline – Toll free at 1-877-779-2223 or email them at contact@bcbh.ca for support and understanding.
- Explore the option of having those close to you connect with the MAiD Family Support group.
Tools – Handouts & Videos
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