Harold Whittaker’s journey continues
Harold Whittaker is in limbo. The former Niagara Falls denturist, who was recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure, underwent quadruple bypass surgery and suffered at least two strokes, wants to take advantage of Canada’s new medical assistance in dying legislation.
“He’s doing OK but he’s anxious,” his daughter Paula Whittaker said Thursday. “He’s anxious to get things moving one way or another.”
The 84-yearold has been in hospital, currently at Hotel Dieu Shaver, for the past seven weeks.
He has made his wishes known to his family doctor, and the physicians caring for him in hospital.
Shaver, because of its religious affiliations, does not provide medical assistance in dying services.
However, the St. Catharines hospital is assisting the family through the process in accordance with guidelines from the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
The guidelines require two independent physicians to conduct assessments on the patient to determine if he meets the eligibility requirements under the new medical assistance in dying law.
The Ministry of Health sent a doctor to assess Whittaker last weekend. A second physician is scheduled to assess him Saturday morning.
The results of these evaluations will determine if he meets the requirements necessary to be allowed a physicianassisted death.” Paula Whittaker, daughter
If both physicians agree the patient meets the criteria, Whittaker can proceed to the next step which will be seeking judicial approval for medical help to end his life.
“The results of these evaluations will determine if he meets the requirements necessary to be allowed a physician-assisted death,” Paula said.
Medical assistance in dying received royal assent in Canada in June after new legislation was passed in Parliament as required by a 2015 Supreme Court of Canada decision.
Bill C-14, however, limits the right to assisted dying to people whose natural death is “reasonably foreseeable.”
The Senate had amended the bill to expand the scope of who qualifies beyond those who are terminally ill, but the House of Commons voted to reject the change.