Photo by Vince Fedoroff
SERIOUS SUBJECT DEBATED – Seen Friday afternoon, left to right, are Dr. Alison O’Hearn, the new president of the Yukon Medical Association; Jeff Blackmer, vice-president of medical professionalism with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA); and CMA president Cindy Forbes.
The Yukon Medical Association (YMA) welcomed discussions of physician-assisted dying at its annual general meeting Friday in Whitehorse.
The Yukon Medical Association (YMA) welcomed discussions of physician-assisted dying at its annual general meeting Friday in Whitehorse.
“This is something we’ve been working on for a couple of years,” Jeff Blackmer, the vice-president of medical professionalism with the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), said Friday afternoon.
“What we’d really like is a very unified approach. Whether that’s a federal law that clearly lays out what’s expected of the provinces and territories or else, all of the provinces and territories, against all odds, actually come together and develop something jointly.”
The latter option is something the CMA is more optimistic about now, after having conversations with multiple jurisdictions that seem to support the initiative – ideally, the legislation would be the same across the country.
“It’s in no one’s interest to have completely different approaches as soon as you cross the province or territory’s border,” Blackmer said.
The fight for assisted dying ended last February. The Supreme Court of Canada overturned a ban on the practice – the court gave federal and provincial governments until February 2016 to develop new legislation.
Because Canada’s assisted dying law doesn’t specifically require a terminal illness, jurisdictions are being challenged to create parameters around who could qualify.
Former YMA president Ken Quong supports the “unified” approach to the topic.
“We, in our small organization, don’t have the resources to develop a unique approach,” Quong said.
After a discussion with Blackmer and the territory’s ministers of health and justice, Quong said everyone seemed receptive to the idea.
“We don’t want to create something new here. We want to have a national plan,” Quong added.
CMA president Cindy Forbes was also at the meeting to give a speech.
In addition to progressive talks of new legislation, there was another wind of change hitting the YMA – swearing in a new president, Dr. Alison O’Hearn.
As her work as president begins, O’Hearn made note of a couple of areas, including physician-assisted dying, which will be priorities.
“Obviously, physician-assisted dying is a hot topic right now because we’re working on a very tight deadline with the plan that it’ll come into effect in February,” she said.
A national senior strategy is also of importance, O’Hearn noted.
“I’d like to see us continue our role as advocates for patients in the territory.”
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Comments (8)
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Ann on Nov 15, 2015 at 1:20 pm
My pets have never been treated like property (as defined by law, which I disagree with). Palliative care isn't just for the old. I nursed my sister in her home when she died of cancer (aged 48, & no, the morphine didn't alleviate her pain). I bathed her before burial. All to respect HER wishes. My 90 yr old mother lives in her home w/24-7 care, wheelchair bound, diapers, fed by others. She is not in pain & SHE is happy with her quality of life, although she has a DNR. I'm advocating INFORMED CHOICE. Discuss it well before your health changes & put it in writing. Every situation is different. Just want MY choice respected w/out having to go to Switzerland or stockpile a lethal dose.
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Free Choice on Nov 15, 2015 at 1:07 am
June, Ann didn't say she wanted to be treated like a dog…she said 'to have the same humane options as my pet'. I know you know what she meant…she meant and I mean that we shouldn't have to suffer an agonizing death or watch our loved ones go through one. Animal abuse that you list is a separate issue. If individuals write out their wishes when they are in an good frame of mind and not sick, then those wishes should be respected--including the right to not resuscitate and the right to die dignified and not in excruciating pain.
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June Jackson on Nov 14, 2015 at 7:56 am
Ann: I have read your comment at least 20 times.. you only mention old people, not the terminally ill, paraplegics etc. that are any age. And then you say.. " I want the same humane options as my pet." So.. your pet..gets food when someone feels like it's time to feed it..you don't go to jail if you drag it down the road behind your truck, you can kill it for making too much noise, because you are moving and don't want to care for it anymore, because it ate the couch, and yes.. because it got old and isn't so cute anymore. And lastly, your pet doesn't get a say in anything you decide to do to it.
All that being said.. I understand what you are saying.. but I would respectfully ask you to refer to humans as such. I would rather have read I want to be treated humanely and according to my wishes than to have read I want to be treated like a dog. I understand your intent, but I am tired of everyone using that reference.
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Free choice=civilized society on Nov 13, 2015 at 5:20 pm
I agree with Ann. If my dog is suffering, I can put my dog down. When my 92 year old neighbour was feeling awful, all she wanted was a dignified death. For JC, I guess you haven't watched your loved one die a horrible, undignified, scary death from cancer. I did. Was with him when he breathed his last breath. I prayed every day for his death to be quick. Instead I got to watch a tortuous death for 3 months. Death is awful and it shouldn't be taken lightly. However, if you are palliative, suffering, and YOU WANT TO GO, it should be your choice. I know it will be mine when the time comes and I don't want my family to stand by helplessly while I disintegrate. I want to say when, where, how and do it before it gets too painful and if I'm wearing diapers, on oxygen, eating nothing, looking like a holocaust victim, miserable, jacked up on every drug available, scared of the pain and suffering each day brings, scared of how painful death will be...easy to be philosophical when you're not the one caring 24/7 for someone in this state. And he died at home, so my whole family took it on, every day, every night, not at the hospital. Free choice = civilized society
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Ann on Nov 10, 2015 at 9:12 am
Public discussion of assisted death is extremely important. Hopefully YG will seek public input in developing policies. National consistency is laudable, however, this goal should not be an excuse to continue to do nothing. People are suffering. With an aging population in the Yukon and nationally, the numbers will increase. Palliative care is inadequate. We need both better palliative care (increased access & training) AND assisted death. It's not either or. I want the same humane options as my pet.
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June Jackson on Nov 9, 2015 at 9:49 pm
I am a little afraid of this legislation. While I agree in principal that folks should have the right to choose how they depart this earth..in practice how long will it be before someone thinks, mom has Alzheimer's ..she wouldn't want to live this way and petitions the court for a death warrant for her? Or how long before death is so acceptable that our youth don't give life a chance? Too many take their lives now.
What about the doctors who have been trained, and their heart is in saving life..will they be forced to take it?
The parameters have not been set yet..I think we should all watch this very carefully.
To craft from the beginning a document that cherishes and protects life and never, never under any circumstances, allows in any way for anyone to make that decision but the person who is applying. If they can not speak for themselves..they will live. People should all have an end of life directive that is legally binding and should override any legislation.
Just my thoughts on this issue...and no I don't care what other countries are doing..I think we should have guidelines that are unique to us. I hope everyone...totally everyone posts their thoughts and follows the developments.
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JC on Nov 9, 2015 at 6:05 pm
Perhaps it's time doctors took time out to remember the Hippocratic Oath they took when they became doctors. Then they wouldn't have to have these kinds of meetings. It's also interesting to note, that most people that support assisted dying also reject capital punishment for murderers. So, lets keep rabid killers alive and walking the streets but get rid of old folks when they get whiny. And if the courts eventually allow assisted dying, then maybe the government should hire executioners and make them wear full black coverings over their faces to prevent them from being identified. That should solve the problem.
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Dr. O Hearn stepping up on Nov 9, 2015 at 3:28 pm
Great to see Dr. O Hearn stepping up to become President. She is a great doctor and person.
Just so you all know, she used to baby sit Sid the Kid in Nova Scotia when he used to shoot the pucks into the dryer.
She will more than likely give me the devil for telling folks that. But she a great person.