The Supreme Court of Canada has unanimously decided, in a landmark case, to overturn a law barring physician-assisted suicide. This is a leap in the right direction – but more must be done before suicide becomes the only option.
The ruling begs many questions. Will right-to-die legislation open the doors for abuse? Who will be eligible for physician-assisted suicide? How will doctors approach the assisted suicide conversation? Who will assist? Can families make end-of-life decisions for their loved ones?
These answers may be considered in the coming legislation from Parliament. Safeguards have been suggested in previous bills – consent, for one – but yet, there are concerns about access, abuse and choice. These concerns, however, can be addressed without physician-assisted suicide legislation.
Palliative care, focused on easing symptoms of illness in order to make the last days or weeks of a person’s life as comfortable as possible, is an attractive option for those suffering from terminal illness.
Whether at home or in a hospital, palliative care gives the seriously ill and their family peace of mind at a very difficult time.
Palliative care has become a victim of healthcare budget cuts. Funding for these programs is critically low. End-of-life decisions should not be made – or made for people – based on budgets.
According to the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, Canada can only provide hospice palliative care to 30 per cent of Canadians. This number is far too low. With a low number of nurses and an ever-increasing number of patients wanting palliative care, the current model is unsustainable. In making palliative care central to medical care in Canada, every Canadian will benefit.
In addition, the Secretariat on Palliative End-of-Life Care, a program funded by the federal government with up to $1.5 million each year, ended in 2007. The dismantling of the secretariat also signalled the end of palliative care strategy through the government.
Only a few provinces include hospice palliative care as a major healthcare program. Palliative care is very much reliant on charitable donations. The kindness of others should not determine someone’s options of dying.
At a Canadian Medical Association conference in August of 2014, many doctors came forward and pushed palliative care as a major concern for Canadians.
Newfoundland physician John Haggie argued discussions about doctor-assisted suicide are driven by the lack of palliative care. His province has no hospice centre.
Without a national palliative-care plan, the federal government is putting elderly Canadians and their families in untenable situations.
Physician-assisted suicide is an excellent option and should be available to Canadians who may need it. While the Supreme Court ruling will give people control over their final days, more must be done by the Canadian government to ensure more end-of-life choices are available, compassionate and funded.