Guidance for Health Professionals
It is important for all health-care providers in Manitoba to be aware of the legal requirements and processes associated with medical assistance in dying, and their professional responsibilities. While health-care providers are not obligated to provide or participate in medical assistance in dying, all health-care providers have professional responsibilities to their patients.
The provincial MAiD team has developed a Guideline for health-care providers (document currently being revised).
Health-care providers should also be aware of their responsibilities under Federal reporting requirements.
Physicians
- College of Physicians & Surgeons: Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
- Legal support for physicians comes from the Canadian Medical Protective Association
NOTE: Physicians in Manitoba must provide any patient inquiring about medical assistance in dying with timely access to a resource that can provide accurate information about MAiD and make available the patient’s chart and relevant information.
Nurses
- College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba: Medical Assistance in Dying
- Legal Support for nurses comes from the Canadian Nurses Protective Society
Pharmacists
- College of Pharmacists of Manitoba: Update on Medical Assistance In Dying (MAiD)
- Legal support for pharmacists comes from Pharmacists Manitoba
Social Workers
- Manitoba College of Social Workers: Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) Information Summary
- Legal support for social workers comes from the Canadian Association of Social Workers
Referring patients
Health-care providers who are approached by patients or their families inquiring about medical assistance in dying:
- may contact and/or send a referral to the provincial MAiD team
- may provide an information pamphlet (French) to patients and families
- may direct those seeking information on medical assistance in dying to the website sharedhealthmb.ca/services/maid, email maid@sharedhealthmb.ca or phone at 204-926-1380 or toll free 1-844-891-1825
- should be aware of their facility/RHA policies regarding medical assistance in dying