Delta Hospice - Not yet forced to do euthanasia.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Sandor Gyarmati reported for the Delta Optimist that the British Columbia Health Minister, Adrian Dix, announced that the provincial government will terminate the service agreement with the Delta Hospice Society on February 24, 2021 unless they begin to provide euthanasia at the Irene Thomas Hospice in Ladner BC.

Gyarmati, makes it seem like the Delta Hospice has lost their battle with Fraser Health, but I believe they have won the battle with Fraser Health.

Rally in support of the Delta Hospice - April 4, 2020 in Victoria BC (Link).

Last December the Delta Hospice Society was ordered by the Fraser Health Authority to provide euthanasia or lose its funding. Soon after, the BC Health Minister, Adrian Dix, stated that he will force the Delta Hospice to provide euthanasia.

The Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians President, Dr Leonie Herx responded by supporting the Delta Hospice and explaining to the BC Health Minister that:

MAiD is not consistent with the philosophy, intent, or approach of hospice palliative care which supports dying as a natural process and does not hasten death.

The BC Health Minister later responded by ordering the Delta Hospice to start offering euthanasia by February 3, 2020 or lose its funding.
 
The latest edict from the BC Health Minister is a small victory. The Delta Hospice was ordered to provide euthanasia by February 3, 2020 or lose its provincial funding. They are now being told that their service agreement will be terminated on February 24, 2021, or one year from now.

The citizens in Delta BC will continue to have access to excellent care in a no kill hospice for at least one more year.

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition launched a successful online petition resulting in more than 19,500 people sending an email to the BC Health Minister, telling him that Hospices Must Not Be Forced to do euthanasia. EPC also provided paper petitions to our supporters to be sent to BC Health Minister.

Join us April 4 at the BC Parliament buildings in Victoria at the rally in support of the Delta Hospice.

The battle has just begun. Hospices must not be forced to do euthanasia.