The MUHC clarifies its policy on end of life care

Last April, a MUHC patient requested medical assistance to dying and was transferred from the MUHC palliative care unit at the Glen to receive treatment.  Both family and patient consented to the move for the procedure and were grateful for it to happen without delay. Unfortunately, there has been uproar in the media over the past week about this case.  The MUHC intends to clarify its policy.

“Bill 2 defines palliative care in accordance with the world health organization definition – that is that palliative care does not hasten death. The RVH palliative care was the first of its kind in North America and we are proud of our long tradition of respect towards our patients, who benefit from quality palliative care, pain control and psychological support at a critical stage of their life. Given our mandate in the network, the MUHC’s policy was designed with our patients’ best interests at heart while respecting the CI(U)SSS’ population responsibility,” said Dr. Manuel Borod, Director of the Division of Supportive and Palliative Care Programs at the MUHC.  Since April, our multidisciplinary team has had numerous meetings to review our approach – long before the controversy – and decided it will be in the best interest of patients, our team and the institution that we take steps to change our policy,” added Dr. Borod.

As with any emotionally charged discussion, it is best handled when we avoid hasty judgements or characterization.  The law as not been broken: access to the service is and will continue to be provided by the MUHC.  There has been no “trampling” on the law as a result of some physicians’ principles and objections of conscience.  There is no hidden agenda at the expense of patient care, and no one has acted in an “infantile” manner.  Bill 2 introduces a new procedure to which all institutions in the network have to adjust.

“The debate around our policy demonstrates that it requires some clarifications.  We will do that.  Like Bill 2 represents an evolution of societal values, we will improve our policy with the experience acquired in the first 6 months of its implementation.  This is what we do in a teaching hospital but we will do so respecting due process and with our continued patient focus.  In the meantime, I wish to reassure all MUHC patients that they will have access to all the care they require,” concluded Dr. Olivier Court, Physician and President of the MUHC Council of Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists.

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Vanessa Damha,
Communications Coordinator, MUHC
514-843-1560
[email protected]