The MAiD Oversight Unit has introduced a new process for MAiD practitioners who are experiencing extenuating circumstances and expect or encounter a delay in their ability to return MAiD medications within 72 hours of a patient’s death (for example, due to circumstances such as extreme weather, natural disasters, and travel from rural and remote areas).
Registrants who anticipate a delay in returning MAiD medications must request an exemption by contacting the MAiD Oversight Unit with all of the following information:
- prescribing practitioner’s name, CPSID, and contact information (email, phone)
- patient’s name, PHN, date of birth, and sex at birth
- scheduled date of MAiD
- anticipated date of medication return
- reason for extension
The Oversight Unit can be reached by emailing hlth.maidoversight@gov.bc.ca, faxing 778-698-4678, or calling 236-475-4571.
The Oversight Unit expects practitioners to reach out when they anticipate they will encounter a delay in the MAiD medication return process as soon as it is practical. They will approve exemptions where exceptional circumstances are reasonably detailed, even if MAiD has already occurred.
CPSBC has updated its Medical Assistance in Dying practice standard to reflect these updated requirements.