Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
In order to be eligible for medical assistance in dying, you must meet all of the following criteria. You must:
- Be eligible for health insurance in Canada (generally, visitors to Canada are not eligible for medical assistance in dying);
- Be at least 18 years old and capable of making health care decisions;
- Have a grievous and irremediable medical condition;
- Make a voluntary request free from external pressure; and
- Give informed consent after being informed of all other available treatments and care.
A person is considered to have a grievous and irremediable medical condition if they meet all of the following criteria:
- They have a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability (excluding mental illness)
- They are in an advanced state of irreversible decline; and
- Their illness, disease or disability or state of decline causes them enduring physical or psychological suffering that is intolerable to them and that cannot be relieved under conditions that they consider acceptable
Only persons who meet ALL of the above criteria are eligible for MAiD.
A person’s death does not need to be reasonably foreseeable for MAiD eligibility (i.e., a person does not need to be at the end of life).
There are also procedural safeguards that must be met before a person can access MAiD. These safeguards include undergoing two independent medical assessments; submitting a written request that is observed by an independent witness; being informed of the right to withdraw the request for MAiD at any time; and providing final consent immediately before receiving MAiD.
Nova Scotians who are seeking information about MAiD can discuss this with their primary care provider or a specialist. If you do not have a primary care provider, please contact the Nova Scotia Health MAiD Access and Resource Team, toll free at 1-833-903-6243, or 902-491-5892 within the Halifax region. The Office email address is: maid@nshealth.ca. Voicemail and email messages will receive a reply within 3-5 business days. Documents and questions may also be faxed to the office at 902-454-0379.
Contact Information
If you have questions about MAiD, please call 902-491-5892.
Nova Scotians who are seeking information about MAiD can discuss this with their primary care provider or a specialist. They may also contact the Nova Scotia Health MAiD Access and Resource Team, toll free at 1-833-903-6243, or 902-491-5892 within the Halifax region. The Office email address is: maid@nshealth.ca. Voicemail and email messages will receive a reply within 3-5 business days.
Documents and questions may also be faxed to the office at 902-454-0379.
Information for the public
- For the public: Frequently asked questions
- Patient & Family Guide [downloadable PDF]
- Guide à l’intention des patients et des familles [French Patient & Family Guide - downloadable PDF]
Information for Doctors and Nurse Practitioners
Information for care professionals
Forms and Documents
Note: MAiD documents are to be completed only under the guidance of a MAiD clinician, or the Nurse Navigator.
- MAiD Referral Form
- MAiD Assessment Form
- MAiD Request and Consent – Death Reasonably Foreseeable (to be completed following first MAiD assessment)
- MAiD Request and Consent – Death NOT Reasonably Foreseeable (to be completed following first MAiD assessment)
- MAiD Advance Request – Waiver of Final Consent
- MAiD Provision Form
Nova Scotia Regulated Health Colleges Professional Standards for MAiD
Physicians and Nurse Practitioners completing the first MAiD assessment are required by their health colleges to provide the patient a copy of their respective standard. Please print the document, or contact the MAID office and a copy will be mailed to you. Call 902-491-5892, or email MAiD@nshealth.ca.
NS College of Nurses: MAiD Guidelines for Nurses
College of Physicians and Surgeons of NS: Professional Standard Regarding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
NS College of Pharmacists: Standards of Practice (MAiD)
NS College of Social Workers: NSCSW Guidelines for MAiD
Reporting
Nova Scotia MAiD Case Summary 2016-Present (December 2, 2022)
|
Year |
Referrals |
MAiD Completed |
Natural Death Before MAiD * |
Died Before MAiD ** |
Patient Lost Capacity |
Does Not Meet Criteria |
Patient Hold |
Referral Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 |
36 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
|
2017 |
136 |
62 |
22 |
20 |
10 |
5 |
1 |
15 |
|
2018 |
241 |
133 |
61 |
24 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
10 |
|
2019 |
284 |
150 |
62 |
4 |
18 |
9 |
10 |
25 |
|
2020 |
373 |
198 |
68 |
1 |
27 |
12 |
35 |
17 |
|
2021 |
520 |
224 |
80 |
35 |
17 |
13 |
29 |
14 |
| 2022 | 627 | 181 | 66 | 38 | 19 | 10 | 22 | 12 |
|
Totals |
2217 |
972 |
359 |
122 |
104 |
58 |
102 |
96 |
* Patient had completed assessments and did not schedule procedure
**Patient was awaiting assessments to be completed. In some cases patients passed within hours of receipt of the referral
