La Maison Au Diapason to offer medical aid in dying

The Board of Directors for the Maison Au Diapason has decided to modify the service offering in order to allow a patient admitted to the palliative care home to receive medical aid in dying within its premises by fall 2021.

In a press release issued following the decision, the board asserts that Au Diapason’s care and services are still and will continue to be intended for people at the end of life, and the philosophy of palliative care remains central to its overall approach. As such, the facility will continue to prioritize physical comfort, relief, as well as psychological and spiritual support for both the patient and the family and admission criteria will remain unchanged.

To be admitted to La Maison, a patient must be terminally ill and have a prognosis of less than two months. Only a patient admitted according to these criteria will be able to receive medical aid in dying if they request it.

No admission will be accepted on the sole basis of receiving medical aid in dying.

This change to Au Diapason’s services is the result of a reflection that began in 2020. Internal consultations were held with volunteers, employees, physicians and the boards of directors of its three organizations in order to obtain feedback. It also consulted other hospices and its CIUSSS partners, in addition to following the evolution of the law on medical aid in dying.

The pandemic delayed the process and a special meeting of the Board of Directors of La Maison Au Diapason was held last April in order make a final decision on the issue. The proposal to make medical aid in dying available to a patients admitted to La Maison was unanimously accepted.

By the fall of 2021, the necessary procedures will be put in place, staff will be trained, supported and accompanied in this transition, and a committee will ensure the implementation of this aid in its service offering.