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On anniversary of partner's death, Vancouver man asks why local hospital still won't allow MAID
"Christina Bates, who at age 53 was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, was in palliative care at St Paul’s Hospital when she was forced to be transferred to Vancouver General Hospital on the morning of Nov. 7, 2021, in order to fulfill her wish of medical assistance in dying, or MAiD." Her partner at the time voices his frustration and the impact that this had "It was a stressful morning, the process was really painful,” he said, adding “There is a conversation I never got to have with her, because of interruptions and confusion and disarray around this.”
By: Shannon Paterson
Medical Assistance in Dying: Majority say religiously affiliated hospitals should not be forced to provide MAID
A poll gauging Canadians’ opinions about transfers when it comes to MAiD patients in Catholic Hospitals. Findings highlight that Quebec is the only province in the country where less than a majority feel a religious-affiliated health-care facility should transfer the patient if they request MAiD.
By: Angus Reid Institute
Over half of Canadians say MAID isn't a must for religious hospitals: Poll
This article discusses the findings of a poll conducted in September 2023 that showed over 60% of Canadians think MAiD should not be forced in faith-based hospitals. "The poll found 70% of Canadians believe morally or religiously opposed health-care practitioners should make a referral if a patient asks for MAID.”
By: Jane Stevenson
The Role of the Catholic Church in Healthcare Provision Globally
The article discusses the significant role of the Catholic Church in global healthcare provision. It highlights that the Church contributes to about 25% of healthcare services worldwide highlighting the historical importance of Catholic hospitals, particularly those established by Irish Nuns. It also mentions the challenges faced by Catholic healthcare institutions in maintaining their faith values while facing pressure to provide services that conflict with their beliefs.
By: Matt Moran
Canadian bishops unanimous: no assisted dying in Church hospitals
This article focuses on the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in which they reaffirmed the opinion that institutions operating under the Catholic Church's name are not permitted to provide MAiD services. This was a unanimous decision among the bishops. It ended in addressing the bishop’s support for Indigenous reconciliation.
By: Peter Stockland
Q&A: A groundbreaker in N.L. health care, Sister Elizabeth Davis is about to make history at the Vatican
Sister Elizabeth Davis has for decades been a principal figure in the Newfoundland and Labrador health-care system. She will take part in the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October led by Pope Francis. Davis is one of just five members of a group called Women Religious who were invited to take part, with this synod marking the first in history that will have women in attendance and voting.
"he's (the pope) been trying to call us into a more inclusive communion, and he thinks and believes, as I do, that that is the only way that we can help make our world better and more just."
By: CBC News
Catholic hospital under fire for naming euthanasia provider as palliative care director
This article describes Dr. Danielle Kain as a proponent of MAiD and it draws concern with this as she is now the director of palliative care at Providence Hospital. She supports the MAiD Referral Policy in which a patient who requests MAiD is referred to a physician who is able and willing to provide MAiD. About 20 other Catholic medical professionals wrote a letter in June to the archbishop with their concerns about Kain’s appointment.
By: BC Catholic
Suddenly hospital transfers are an issue ?
The author is critical of the controversy surrounding hospital transfers and why they are being seen as problematic in cases of MAiD. It is compared to a jaw surgery case in which the patient was transferred to another hospital to receive their care. It is argued that transfers are not a problem because they are done in the best interest of the paient.
"Today, the widespread unavailability of certain procedures at particular hospitals is not of interest to the media, unless the procedure is euthanasia."
By: Paul Schartz
Forcing all Canadian hospitals to offer MAID would be a toxic dose of intolerance
Focuses on a recent case in which a patient at St. Paul’s was denied MAiD, prompting the BC Health Minister to address the need for Catholic Health Care in BC to provide MAiD in their facilities. The article discusses eliminating faith-based healthcare institutions as a problem and is in support of its continuance. It highlights the good that Catholic institutions have done from the author's perspective. "If our civil society and legal order denies faith-based health-care facilities the freedom to pass on giving lethal injections based on the conscientious view that MAID is killing, we will have bought into not just a fundamental misunderstanding of how Canada is meant to function, but a dangerous one."
By: Brian Bird
B.C. health minister pushing Providence Health to change MAID policy
The focus is on a plea made by the British Columbia Health Minister to Providence Health to reconsider its stance on MAID within its facilities. Providence Health's existing policy firmly prohibits MAID, citing the apparent incompatibility of Catholic doctrine with actions aimed at ending human life. This policy has been a point of contention, as it can limit individuals' access to MAID services. The Health Minister is advocating for a revision of this policy, highlighting the importance of accommodating patients' diverse beliefs and values while ensuring access to end-of-life care options.
By: Katie DeRosa
Pope Francis: ‘Health is not a luxury'
Pope Francis emphasized the importance of universal access to healthcare and the human dimension of medical care. He praised healthcare professionals for their dedication, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and stressed that a society that discards the sick has no future. The Pope highlighted the need for a culture of care, focusing on the whole person—physical, mental, and spiritual—rather than efficiency and waste. "Health is not a luxury!" and urged governments to ensure universal access to decent healthcare.
By: Vatican News
Faith and Access: The Conflict Inside Catholic Hospitals
In a detailed exploration of the tension within Canadian Catholic hospitals, the article addresses the clash between religious convictions and the provision of comprehensive healthcare services. Susan Camm, a clinical manager at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, reacted viscerally to the presence of a crucifix in a modern hospital setting, illustrating the cultural and religious conflicts that can arise in spaces meant to serve a diverse population. The article delves into the limitations imposed by Catholic doctrine on services like reproductive health, fertility treatments, care for LGBTQ2+ patients, and medically assisted death (MAID), which conflict with the expectations of a publicly funded healthcare system that pledges universal access.
By: Wendy Glauser
Abortion accessibility in Canada: The Catholic hospital conflict
The overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States sparked debate about abortion in Canada, including whether Catholic hospitals retain the right to impede access to abortion. The article details the story of a woman who went to St. Joseph’s Hospital, the only hospital in her city, to get an abortion in 2013. The now mother-of-two said she was referred to another hospital in Regina, which is 200 kilometres away and an approximate two-hour drive.
By: Rhythm Sachdeva