Survey outlines Albertans’ opinions on assisted death

Nearly two-thirds of Albertans believe all publicly funded healthcare facilities should be required to provide physician-assisted death on-site, according to a new survey released by the provincial government Thursday.

Of those, more than 40 per cent said all facilities, regardless of where their funding comes from, should provide patients with this option.

Just over one-quarter said hospitals, long-term care and assisted living homes should be able to opt out even if they rely on government dollars.

Those are some of the responses to one of 13 questions in the government’s report, What We Heard: Medical Assistance in Dying, which compiles online survey responses from 15,000 Albertans conducted in March.

Following a Supreme Court of Canada ruling, physician-assisted death will be legalized across the country June 6, even if there is no provincial legislation in place.

Covenant Health, the Catholic organization that operates continuing-care facilities and nine hospitals across Alberta, including Edmonton’s Misericordia and Grey Nuns, has said it will not take part because it is against its values and ethics. Covenant Health operates with public funds.

“We will continue to respect the law and provide assistance to people at end of life. We will respond with compassion and respect to anyone who requests physician-assisted death without discrimination or coercion, seeking to understand their request and exploring with them their options — including timely transfer of care for further assessment,” Patrick Dumelie, Covenant Health president and CEO, wrote in a letter to the government in March.

Associate health minister Brandy Payne said Thursday any physician or medical practitioner who has a “conscientious objection” will not be required to provide medical aid in dying. The provincial government is working with Covenant Health and the Christian Medical and Dental Associations to ensure that the rights of their members are protected, she said.

54 per cent of respondents said a person younger than 18 should be eligible to die with the assistance of a doctor as long as they are mature and competent enough to understand the nature of the request.

Just under 40 per cent said only adults should be eligible.

70 per cent of respondents believe that while a patient must request medical-assisted death while they are competent, a doctor can fulfil the request even if the patient loses competency before his or her death.

60 per cent of respondents support as sufficient safeguards the guidelines laid out by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, which include ensuring that patients are aware of all medical options and there are two doctors involved in the process.