Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
Requesting Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is a deeply personal decision. If you’re thinking about medical assistance in dying, you should first talk with your doctor or nurse practitioner. It is also important to discuss your wishes with family members, loved ones, or anyone else you feel is appropriate.
Medical Assistance in Dying, often referred to as MAiD, became legal in Canada on June 6, 2016 with the passage of Bill C-14, and is governed under federal law. The law was further revised on March 17, 2021.
What is Medical Assistance in Dying MAiD?
MAiD assistance in dying means:
- The administering by a doctor or nurse practitioner of a substance to an eligible person, at their request, that causes their death; or,
- The prescribing or provision by a doctor or nurse practitioner of an eligible person, at their request, so that they may self-administer the substance and in doing so cause their own death.
For up-to-date information on MAiD eligibility and safeguards in Canada, please visit:
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – Frequently asked questions (PDF)
- Government of Canada – Information on Medical Assistance in Dying
- Federal Bill C-7
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) Coordination Services
MAiD coordination services is a resource for persons or health-care providers with questions about medical assistance in dying. The team coordinates services for adults (18 years and older) in the Eastern Health region, who have submitted written requests for medical assistance in dying.
What we do
MAiD Coordination Services can assist by answering questions about MAiD, including eligibility criteria as well as questions around the request and assessment process. Additional information can be found in the Government of NL MAiD Frequently Asked Questions (PDF).
We can also offer the following assistance to those who have submitted a written request for MAiD:
- In cases where the client’s own doctor or nurse practitioner does not participate in the MAiD process, we can facilitate access to other medical practitioners.
- Schedule assessments with MAiD assessors as requested by the client’s medical practitioners.
- Provide referrals to Pastoral Care or Grief & Bereavement Services when requested.
- Provide information about available peer support resources.
- For those who meet MAiD criteria and have chosen to proceed with MAiD, we can coordinate with the client, their MAiD provider and additional service providers (e.g. nursing; pharmacy; etc.).
Who we see
Eastern Health’s MAiD Coordination Service is available to health-care providers, clients and caregivers looking for information or who have questions about medical assistance in dying. MAiD Coordination Services are operated out of the Dr. Leonard A Miller Centre in St. John’s and are available to those who reside within the Eastern Health region.
Our team
MAiD coordinators are social workers and nurses who provide information to those with questions about medical assistance in dying. They also work with adults in the Eastern Health Region who have submitted written requests for medical assistance in dying.
MAiD coordinators do not assess a person’s eligibility for MAiD and do not provide medical care. In addition, Eastern Health does not have a specific team of doctors or nurse practitioners to assess MAiD elegibility or provide MAiD. If a person’s own doctor or nurse practitioner does not participate in MAiD assessment, the MAiD coordinator can arrange assessors, however, there could be a wait time.
How to access this service
- Persons with questions about medical assistance in dying can contact MAiD Coordination Services and a MAiD coordinator will respond to the message. Please allow 48 hours response time.
- Persons requesting medical assistance in dying are required to complete a written request form (PDF), which has to be signed in the presence of an independent witness.
- The patient request form can be requested from your health-care provider, from MAiD Coordination Services and can also be found on the provincial government website.
- Completed request forms must be faxed to 709-777-7774, or emailed to maid@easternhealth.ca.
Where we are
Dr. Leonard A Miller Centre
100 Forest Rd
St. John’s
Newfoundland and Labrador
A1A 1E5
Canada
Hours of operation
Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (excluding holidays).
How to reach us
- Leave a voicemail message at 709-777-2250 or toll-free, 1-833-777-2250.
- Email: maid@easternhealth.ca