The MAiD process
The process of requesting, being assessed for, and receiving MAiD can vary in length. For some people, it may take a few days; for others, it could take weeks or even months. Our goal is to ensure the process remains as person-centred as possible, within the resources available and while following MAiD legislation.
While you consider MAID, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor or nurse practitioner to discuss your suffering and medical condition. Care teams should ensure you know how to address your suffering. You do not have to accept any of the services that might be offered.
Only you can ask to be assessed for MAiD, and you can pause or stop the process at any time, for any reason.
There are four general steps in the MAiD process.
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Making a request for MAiD
The first step is to fill out a Request for Medical Assistance in Dying form (HLTH 1632), You can find this form on the BC Ministry of Health website by searching “BC MAiD forms” in your web browser. You do not need permission from your health care team to complete this form.
You can fill out and send it directly to the VCH Assisted Dying Program yourself, or you can ask for help from your doctor, nurse practitioner, or another health care professional. If you need support with the form, you can also call the VCH Assisted Dying Program for assistance.
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Getting assessed for MAiD eligibility
After you submit the Request for Medical Assistance in Dying form, the VCH Assisted Dying Program will contact you and schedule two assessments. These assessments will determine if you meet the legal eligibility requirements for MAiD and if you are capable of making this decision about your health care.
Your assessors will be doctors or nurse practitioners. They usually meet with you in person, but assessments can be done by video call if needed. Each assessment takes about one hour. Depending on your specific situation, there may be additional assessments or follow-up meetings. If you are found eligible, your assessors will then determine if your natural death is reasonably foreseeable or not. This will determine which set of legal safeguards apply to you, including whether a minimum 90-day assessment period is required. Your assessors will talk with you about what this means in your case.
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Planning and scheduling the assisted death
Your assisted death may take place at your home, or your current health care facility, residential care home, assisted living residence, or hospice. If you have another location in mind, you can discuss this with your MAiD provider.
During the assisted death, your MAiD provider will give you medication that allows for a peaceful and pain-free death, surrounded by any loved ones you choose to have present. Your MAiD provider will discuss this process with you and your loved ones.
If you would like more information, please contact the VCH Assisted Dying Program or visit the MAiD FAQ information.
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The assisted death
Your assisted death may take place at your home, or your current health care facility, residential care home, assisted living residence, or hospice. If you have another location in mind, you can discuss this with your MAiD provider.
During the assisted death, your MAiD provider will give you medication that allows for a peaceful and pain-free death, surrounded by any loved ones you choose to have present. Your MAiD provider will discuss this process with you and your loved ones.
If you would like more information, please contact the VCH Assisted Dying Program or visit the MAiD FAQ information.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for MAiD, a person must meet the legal eligibility criteria. These criteria, along with the associated safeguards, are outlined below. For the full list of eligibility requirements and safeguards, please visit the B.C. Ministry of Health MAiD webpage.
To be eligible a person must:
- Be eligible for health services publicly funded by a government in Canada, such as being registered or eligible for B.C.’s Medical Services Plan (MSP);
- Be at least 18 years of age and capable of making decisions about their health;
- Have made a voluntary request for MAiD that was not made because of external pressure;
- Have given informed consent to receive MAiD after being informed of the treatments and care that are available to relieve their suffering, including palliative care; and
- Have a grievous and irremediable medical condition, which means:
- they have a serious and incurable illness, disease, or disability.
- they are in an advanced state of decline that cannot be reversed; and
- the illness, disease or disability or the state of decline is causing ongoing physical or psychological suffering that is intolerable to them and cannot be relieved under conditions they consider acceptable.
Legal safeguards
The legal safeguards that apply to you will depend on your specific circumstances. The MAiD assessors will tell you which safeguards apply to you.
