Nova Scotia hospitals not all likely to have doctor-assisted death

Nova Scotians who want to end their lives with the help of a doctor and want it to happen in a hospital may have to travel to do so.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority has promised to provide private, safe and peaceful space for patients who want a doctor-assisted death, but the woman who helped draft the plan hospitals need to follow has warned that may not be possible in every community.

Need proper staff, medications, privacy

"You have to make sure that you have the physicians and the team that's able to do it, access to the medications and that you can ensure that privacy," said Sandra Janes, the health service director at the Nova Scotia Health Authority.

"If you're in a really small rural town, for instance, it may be really difficult to ensure the privacy for family members. So those are all the things that need to be taken into consideration when you're making sure you're finding the best place possible."

There may also be facilities where doctors simply refuse to take part in a physician-assisted death.

'If you're not comfortable, you're not going to be forced to'

"What we're saying to our staff is, 'If you're not comfortable, you're not going to be forced to,'" said Janes.

Hospitals are not being asked to create or set aside rooms specifically for doctor-assisted deaths. Instead, the procedure will be done in the most appropriate space available.

"You certainly want it to be a spot where they've got that privacy and there are not people around that are interfering or interrupting their quiet time and their grieving," Janes said.

Dedicated phone line to clear up confusion

The health authority has set up a dedicated phone line for people who have questions or who want to formally request the procedure. That line, 902-491-5892, hasn't been ringing off the hook, says Janes.

She says the phone line will help provide people with knowledge and understanding of what the law means.

"We know from talking to both our care providers and the public that people are uncertain. They're hearing so many what appear to be conflicting reports in the media about what is included, what is not included," said Janes.

The Supreme Court ruling lifting the legal ban on doctor-assisted death came into effect on June 6.

Dying at home also an option

People can also request help dying at home. The authority can help find a doctor willing to prescribe the drugs needed to first sedate and then end a patient's life, but there's no obligation that doctor will be bedside in case they're needed.

Doctors who perform the procedure in hospital will have to check in with patients after they've administered the drugs or be available at short notice to provide help if needed.