NS Resumes Medically Assisted Dying Referrals After Work Backlog – Halifax | The Canadian News

Nova Scotia is resuming Medical Assistance In The Event of Death (MAID) referrals following a temporary suspension that was implemented due to a “significant backlog.”

The suspension of referrals was implemented in September and was scheduled to last 30 days.

In a press release, the show said it will be able to resume service a week earlier than planned and will accept new referrals starting today.

“The temporary pause in service was necessary to ensure that people already awaiting an evaluation could be seen in a timely manner,” the statement said.

“We appreciate the stress this delay may have placed on patients, families and others involved in their care. We are pleased to announce that several new evaluators have come forward and that we are in the process of hiring a new full-time nurse practitioner to support the program. “

Dr. Gord Gubitz, MAID Medical Director, thanked physicians across the province who “did everything possible to help over the past few weeks,” adding that the program is always looking for new physicians to participate.

MAID was legalized in Canada in June 2016, when federal legislation was passed allowing eligible Canadian adults to apply for the process.

To be eligible, individuals must be at least 18 years old, have a “Serious and irremediable medical condition”, make a voluntary request and give your informed consent.

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