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Guest Post: MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING – BC’S REGULATORY COLLEGES MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER
Over the past few months, BC health profession regulators, particularly Pharmacy, Medicine and Nursing, have been busy responding to big social change for all Canadians: medical assistance in dying (MAiD).
This new legislation received much debate and deliberation by the House of Commons and Senate committee before becoming law on June 17, 2016. CRNBC was fortunate to be invited to present to the Senate committee and made some recommendations for a team-based approach and coordinated quality assurance at the provincial level.
A number of provincial working groups have been formed and supported by Ministry of Health staff to enable continued collaboration among key stakeholders, and to ensure all British Columbians have access to safe and ethical medical assistance in dying.
In BC, the Minister of Health supported our three colleges with provincial legislation. The colleges collaborated to develop complementary standards of practice for our registrants, which received timely feedback from key stakeholders via the provincial working groups. The Ministry of Health and regional health authorities worked closely with us to enable regulatory standards that support the operational processes implemented by the regional health authorities, to provide safe and ethical care for patients who request MAiD.
These changes to Canada’s Criminal Code arrive as part of a historical shift in law, health care and professional practice. In a complex health system, this cooperative effort is a great example of collaboration and team work across the province.
I invite you to visit CRNBC’s MAiD resource centre for more information on the role of registered nurses and nurse practitioners in medical assistance in dying. The College of Pharmacists's also has its own MAiD resource centre for pharmacy professionals.
Christine Penney, RN, MPA, PhD
Deputy Registrar/Chief Officer
Policy, Practice and Quality Assurance
College of Registered Nurses of BC
Christine is a Registered Nurse with a Master’s and PhD in Public Administration to enable her keen interest and pursuit of health and social services that demonstrate quality and public accountability. She is also a Fellow of the EXTRA Program and the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
Christine has worked in acute care nursing and front line management, senior executive positions in regional service delivery across acute & home and community care, government policy & planning, heath system research/consulting, and health professions regulation.
- Guest Post, MAID
