The Delta Hospice Society’s board has responded to the Fraser Health Authority regarding the region’s concerns the society is not permitting Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) at the Irene Thomas Hospice in Ladner.
The region notes it’s reviewing the response and will have more to share next week.
A Fraser Health spokesperson last week told the Optimist health region representatives met with the leadership from the Delta Hospice to discuss the society’s compliance of their contract.
“Fraser Health subsequently provided them with formal notice of the concerns,” the spokesperson stated.
“We took a phased approach to the implementation of this service and, in December 2017, proceeded with the final phase of implementation in hospices and palliative care settings. We have been working closely with the Delta Hospice Society since to support them in implementing this service.”
The issue has been a heated and divisive one for the society.
The region’s annual operating funding to the hospice could be pulled, provincial health minister Adrian Dix suggested this week.
In a letter to staff, volunteers and members, society president Angelina Ireland said the new board’s motion, reversing a previous board decision to allow MAiD, was based on two independent legal opinions that MAiD is not compatible with the purposes of Delta Hospice Society as stated in its constitution.
