In response to the Petition delivered to the Board of Directors of Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care (MVHPC) which requests that we stop allowing Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) within the Hospice facility, we give the following response to the organizers and signatories of the petition.
MVHPC has been in the community since 2012 serving palliative and end of life patients, families and loved ones. The organization is governed by and committed to a mission statement and set of values and has not wavered from either. The Mission of Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care (MVHPC) is to provide compassionate support to enhance the quality of living and dying. The MVHPC values are person centred, respect, compassion, integrity, pursuit of excellence and teamwork. These values guide all our decisions as an organization and we will not set them aside regardless of threats to our financial stability, loss of patronage of special interest groups, or from outside pressures to align with a particular school of thought.
It is not a coincidence that the value of person centred is listed first. The dying person and their loved ones are always at the center directing every choice, discussion, decision, and care plan. The care team respects each person’s choices and decisions. The care team treats each person with compassion even if that person’s beliefs, culture, faith and decisions may not align with their own.
As an organization, MVHPC neither agrees nor disagrees with MAiD. MVHPC serves individuals, and that support is given at their direction with respect, with compassion, with integrity, and to the best of our ability as part of a healthcare team. The Board and Staff, unitedly, remains committed to the MVHPC values.
Under Canadian law residents have the right to decide to receive MAiD in certain, very controlled circumstances and MVHPC is committed to compliance with said law in a manner that is in keeping with its Mission and Values.
MVHPC staff approach inquiries and discussions about MAiD with respect, recognizing the person’s right to make individual choices according to their values and beliefs, but will also reaffirm the Hospice’s commitment to providing quality palliative and end of life care, as well as compassionate support for dying persons and their families throughout the final stages of life. This support includes honouring self-determination using advanced care planning and personal directives; offering quality palliative and end of life care that addresses physical, psychological and spiritual needs; and delivering effective and timely pain and symptom management.
For legal clarity, and the adherence to the Hospice Facility Admission Agreement which states that we will not hasten nor postpone death, MVHPC prevents the Hospice staff from participating in the provision of MAiD within its premises but allows the Resident of the Hospice to avail themselves of MAiD, if that is their choice. The Hospice will not prevent Residents from receiving MAiD within the Hospice premises if it is provided by a duly authorized third party physician or nurse practitioner.
We respect your devotion to your faith, and associated beliefs. We will not be pressured to impose those beliefs on the entirety of the population we serve within our catchment of 12 communities. We do not amend our values for special interests, nor do we amend our values with threats of loss of reputation or financial support. We will not deny entry to Hospice or insist residents leave hospice if they wish to pursue MAiD. This demand of the petition will not be accommodated, and we remain resolute to our values of person centred, respect, compassion and integrity. We will not isolate a portion of the population, in favour of another. Our values are experienced by the families we serve every day, and they know that we wholeheartedly embrace those values in our support of them. Our values go beyond the printed word – they live and breathe in all we do.
Respectfully,
The Board
About Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care
Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care (MVHPC) is a FREE service that strives to help patients and families cope with end-of-life issues with dignity and compassion and improve the quality of living and dying. In the last 10 years, 1300 Families supported.
- Assessment, Care Planning & Education – Individuals who connect to MVHPC, will meet with the Clinical Director. An individual care plan will be developed based on each person and family’s needs, beliefs and wishes.
- Home Visiting – Home is wherever the patient is – private dwelling, seniors’ apartment, or hospital. Trained volunteers may be a friendly visitor, help with small tasks, allow caregivers time to rest or do errands. 38,314 Volunteer Hours since 2013 by 250 trained Volunteers.
- Hospice Apartment – This is a safe, private home-like space for family and friends to spend quality time with their loved ones. Family may move in or come and go. The family is supported 24 hours a day by a well-trained team consisting of MVHPC staff, nursing and PSWs, and volunteers. 212 people have died in Hospice with loved ones by their side.
- Caregiver Support – Caregiving is rewarding, but it can be incredibly isolating and stressful too. Our caregiver support program offers assistance navigating healthcare services and options, in-home respite so you feel safe to rest or leave your loved one, education to help make caregiving easier. 337 Caregivers supported.
- Advance Care Planning – MVHPC can provide education, resources and support to help guide decisions about future health and personal care in the event one becomes unable to speak for themselves.
- Bereavement Support – Trained volunteers and staff follow family members during the first year following a death. Grief Support Groups are held throughout the year. There is a Memorial Butterfly Release where butterflies can be purchased and released at our annual Memorial or at home. 294 people supported one to one and 3 or 4 six-week Grief Groups each year.
- Medical Equipment Loan Cupboard – The loan of medical equipment is available to anyone in need for injury, for recovery, or for end of life with over 1000 pieces in circulation.
- Lending Library – Provides books and information covering a wide range of topics related to Hospice Palliative Care, which may be borrowed.
Contact details:
The Boards very strong commitment to not only valuing but also supporting, protecting and upholding the beliefs and wishes of each individual person, no matter the way they wish to die, is truly commendable. “Death” will eventually find all of us. Dying with your dignity intact (in other words, dying according to your own wishes and no one Elses) is everyone’s human right. “Hat’s off” to the Hospice Board for their very strong principle-based stance in the face of pressure.
I agree with Barb Cardwell
I too commend the board for their stance and their response to this petition.
I fully support people living their life according to their own values and beliefs, but I totally disagree with anyone who attempts to push those beliefs and values on others. That’s one of the great things about living in Canada – we’re all free to make our own choices.
I’m proud of the MVHPC for standing up for their clients rights, while providing this difficult but much needed and appreciated service.
I applaud the Board for your stead fast approach to the petition!
Your stance is commendable!
To isolate one’s beliefs over another is special and interesting but not of special interest!
Carry on!
You do great work for the Community!
You have my support!
R.S. Sullivan
Barry’s Bay