Alberta is ready for assisted dying

Re: “Assisted dying is here, but Alberta isn’t ready,” Paula Simons, May 31

I know of no other health issue in my 11-year tenure as registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta for which there has been as much preparation and co-operation as on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). The collaboration between Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services and the health care regulators for medicine, pharmacy and nursing is unprecedented. Alberta is as well-prepared as any jurisdiction in Canada (outside of Quebec, which has different legislation):

The CPSA has rules and advice to help physicians respond to a patient’s request for MAID.

Alberta Health Services has directives for employees and physicians and a support system to assist patients, physicians and other health care providers.

Alberta Health has regulations that address patient eligibility, protection of vulnerable patients and reporting requirements.

Health Link (811) provides information for patients, physicians seeking advice when their patient asks about MAID and for conscientious objectors (practitioners or institutions).

I think it unfair to all the parties who’ve worked so hard to be ready for June 6 to suggest that Alberta is unprepared. Dr. Trevor Theman, Registrar, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta