Fear of legal reprisal still widespread among health professionals
Two months after Quebec’s assisted-dying law came into effect, about 10 patients have chosen to end their lives with the help of a doctor.
Health Minister Gaétan Barrette says this is a sign that things are going well and there are no systematic obstacles.
“The information that I have from the ground and from the College of Physicians is that teams are in place and that access is there,” Barrette said.
“Problems, if there were any, were resolved quickly.”
Doctors and patient advocates tell a different story.
Jean-Pierre Ménard, a lawyer specializing in health law, says his clients have reported trouble obtaining medical assistance to die. . . [Full text]