Vancouver Physician Quits Over MAID Transfer Rules
A Vancouver doctor has resigned from her hospital position, saying she can no longer work under a policy that requires physicians to arrange transfers for patients seeking medically assisted death. The departure highlights ongoing tensions between individual conscience rights and institutional responsibilities around MAID in British Columbia.
Resignation Linked to MAID Transfer Obligations
The physician told colleagues that she feels the requirement to transfer patients requesting medically assisted death — once they ask for it — goes against her deeply held beliefs. She said that even though she does not have to participate directly in MAID procedures, arranging or facilitating transfers makes her complicit in a process she can’t support, leading her to step away from that role.
Hospital Responds to Departure
Officials at the Vancouver hospital where she worked acknowledged the resignation and said they respect individual choices while also emphasizing their commitment to following provincial health directives. The facility said it will continue to ensure patients have access to all legal health services, including MAID, and that coverage will be handled without interruption.
Broader Debate Over Conscience and Care
Her resignation has touched off conversation among medical staff and policy experts about how to balance doctors’ conscience protections with patients’ legal rights to access care. Some argue that requiring transfers may place undue moral pressure on practitioners who oppose MAID, while others maintain that patients must be assured continuity of care and unimpeded access to services they are legally entitled to receive.
Health Authorities Weigh Implications
British Columbia’s health authorities say they are aware of the physician’s concerns and are monitoring the situation. They reiterated that policies are designed to protect both patient access and the professional integrity of providers, and they pledged to continue discussions with stakeholders about how best to accommodate diverse views within the health system framework.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
The resignation has drawn attention from advocacy groups on both sides of the MAID debate. Some community members praised the doctor’s stand for conscience rights, while others stressed the importance of accessible end-of-life care options. As the conversation continues, health officials say they will review feedback and may revisit policy guidelines to better address these concerns.
