Assisted death comes to P.E.I.
Health P.E.I. not currently disclosing actual numbers of those choosing to end lives
There has been at least one medically assisted death in P.E.I. since the Criminal Code of Canada was amended on June 17, 2016.
“We can confirm that, since medical assistance in dying became law last June, there has been fewer than five requests and at least one,” Health P.E.I. told the Journal Pioneer via email on Friday.
“There is very little that I can tell you with respect to any cases that may or may not have taken place,” a Health P.E.I. official said, citing privacy provisions.
Because of Prince Edward Island’s size, Health P.E.I. is refraining from providing actual numbers until the number of cases exceeds five.
Any information that could lead to the identity of patients applying for, or receiving medical assistance in dying, would amount to a breach of privacy, a department official contended.
It is possible for the number of cases of medical assistance in dying to be lower than the number of applications, as federal legislation sets out the criteria that must be met in order to be approved or considered, and those who meet the criteria maintain the right to change their mind.
A CBC News survey in March reported that at least 1,324 Canadians were provided medical assistance in dying since legislation came into effect.
P.E.I.’s chief coroner, Dr. Desmond Colohan, said provincial jurisdictions are still deciding their rules on reporting of medically assisted deaths.
The chief coroner and medical examiner system across the country met on the matter, he said, and “made it very clear to provincial and territorial governments that, unless there was some concern about the inappropriateness of the death, it wasn’t a coroner’s case, and it wouldn’t be investigated as a suspicious death.”
P.E.I. Health Minister Robert Henderson said he has confidence the processes in place “will protect vulnerable Islanders yet comply with the federal legislation and deliver a safe and effective service to those Islanders who choose this service.”
Under the federal legislation, medical professionals can refuse to provide medical assistance in dying.
However, if a patient wishes to pursue the option, the medical professional has a duty to get the patient in touch with a clinician who will discuss the option and will provide the medical assistance if the patient qualifies and decides to follow through.
If assessments determine that a patient meets the criteria, there is a 10-day period of reflection before medical assistance in dying can occur.