Medical assistance in dying: Quebec says it’s ready to start accepting advanced requests next week [Video]

Quebec’s health department says it will be ready to meet the expected demand for advanced applications for medical assistance in dying when it begins accepting those requests next week.

Dr. Stéphane Bergeron, an associate deputy minister in the department, told reporters in a briefing on Thursday that it will take time for the first requests to be approved, which will give the health system further room to prepare.

“It’s not something we do in a few minutes during one consultation or appointment,” he said. “It’s something we have to take our time with, that will certainly require several meetings between the (health professionals) and the patient.” 

On Oct. 30 Quebec will become the first province to allow a person with a serious and incurable illness to request that a medically assisted death be administered months or even years in the future — when their condition leaves them unable to consent …