First, a big thank you to everyone who filled out the Communications Survey. We received a record number of responses! We are looking forward to reviewing the results and learning what works, what you like and how we can improve the way you receive information and news.
This week I am excited to reflect on the year that was and share how we are building towards UHN's future at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM will take place this Wednesday, June 15th at 4:00 pm in the MaRS Auditorium. The meeting is open so please join us if you're able. If you cannot make it to the MaRS Auditorium, we will be livestreaming the event. You can watch it
here, or at one of the following locations (please note the location for Toronto Western has changed since last week's
Looking Ahead):
- Toronto Western, BMO Conference Centre
- Princess Margaret, 6-604 Auditorium
- Toronto Rehab, University Centre Auditorium
- Lyndhurst Centre, Lecture Rooms A/B
- Bickle Centre, Auditorium
- Michener Institute, Auditorium
This year has been a busy one, with a lot of change and hard work put in by all of you. It's important to take some time to express our gratitude and what better way to do this than a BBQ? This Wednesday I will be stopping by the first of our Staff Appreciation BBQ's, which is taking place at Toronto Western.
Last week, the Supreme Court of Canada's deadline for the federal government to pass legislation on medical assistance in dying (MAID) passed in the House of Commons and was sent to the Senate. This means that medical assistance in dying is now permitted in Ontario, however federal legislation is not yet in place. Ontario's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Dr. Eric Hoskins, and Attorney General, Hon. Madeleine Meilleur put out a joint statement on this matter, which you can read
here. The province is encouraging both health care providers and patients who may wish to have a medically assisted death to bring an application to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for further clarity on how this decision impacts their circumstances.
UHN will be launching a MAID website, containing an e-learning module, communication videos, MAID policy and procedures, and the MAID referral forms. We have also assembled volunteer MAID Assessment and Intervention Team members and are developing training materials for these groups. These education and training materials are currently being developed and will be delivered as soon as possible.
In the meantime, please continue to follow the interim MAID guidance:
- Any health professional receiving a patient request for MAID should respond respectfully and compassionately. Inform the patient that MAID is available for eligible patients at UHN, and notify the Attending Physician. The discussion with the Attending Physician should include information about their diagnosis and prognosis, and measures that can be undertaken to relieve physical and psychological suffering that may be contributing to the desire for MAID.
- Patients with a sustained desire for MAID should be referred by their Attending Physician to the MAID Assessment Team for consideration of this intervention. The Attending Physician should e-mail
maid@uhn.ca for further information about eligibility criteria and the referral process.
We are here to support all UHN physicians, staff and patients through this time. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you have.
Peter
