Checking out

[Leongsam]

Euthanasia for people with psychiatric disorders or dementia in Belgium: analysis of officially reported cases​

BMC Psychiatry volume 17, Article number: 203 (2017) Cite this article

Abstract​

Background​

Euthanasia for people who are not terminally ill, such as those suffering from psychiatric disorders or dementia, is legal in Belgium under strict conditions but remains a controversial practice. As yet, the prevalence of euthanasia for people with psychiatric disorders or dementia has not been studied and little is known about the characteristics of the practice. This study aims to report on the trends in prevalence and number of euthanasia cases with a psychiatric disorder or dementia diagnosis in Belgium and demographic, clinical and decision-making characteristics of these cases.

Methods​

We analysed the anonymous databases of euthanasia cases reported to the Federal Control and Evaluation Committee Euthanasia from the implementation of the euthanasia law in Belgium in 2002 until the end of 2013. The databases we received provided the information on all euthanasia cases as registered by the Committee from the official registration forms. Only those with one or more psychiatric disorders or dementia and no physical disease were included in the analysis.

Results​

We identified 179 reported euthanasia cases with a psychiatric disorder or dementia as the sole diagnosis. These consisted of mood disorders (N = 83), dementia (N = 62), other psychiatric disorders (N = 22) and mood disorders accompanied by another psychiatric disorder (N = 12). The proportion of euthanasia cases with a psychiatric disorder or dementia diagnosis was 0.5% of all cases reported in the period 2002–2007, increasing from 2008 onwards to 3.0% of all cases reported in 2013. The increase in the absolute number of cases is particularly evident in cases with a mood disorder diagnosis. The majority of cases concerned women (58.1% in dementia to 77.1% in mood disorders). All cases were judged to have met the legal requirements by the Committee.

Conclusions​

While euthanasia on the grounds of unbearable suffering caused by a psychiatric disorder or dementia remains a comparatively limited practice in Belgium, its prevalence has risen since 2008. If, as this study suggests, people with psychiatric conditions or dementia are increasingly seeking access to euthanasia, the development of practice guidelines is all the more desirable if physicians are to respond adequately to these highly delicate requests.

 

[nayr69sg]

Depression? Life is hell... don't feel like living... can't get out of bed... can't sleep... etc etc. Valid reason?

Is mental health included in reasons eligible for MAID in NZ? Let me go check.

 

[Leongsam]

Is mental health included in reasons eligible for MAID in NZ? Let me go check.

In NZ no. In Belgium yes.

 

[Leongsam]

I wonder if having a small dick will be considered to be justifiable grounds for euthanasia.

 

[nayr69sg]

AHS SUMMARY of BILL C7 changes to MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING
For Full Legal details go to: https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/43-2/bill/C-7/royal-assent
April 2021 AHS Medical Assistance in Dying
PATIENTS
AFFECTED
LEGISLATIVE CHANGE LEGISLATIVE
CATEGORY
ALL
REASONABLY FORESEEABLE NATURAL DEATH NO LONGER AN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
 Once a patient is found eligible there are now two streams for the remainder of the
MAID assessment process, including: (1) Patients whose natural death is reasonably
foreseeable; and (2) Patients whose natural death is NOT reasonably foreseeable.
Assessment must determine which of these two streams will apply for any individual
patient
Eligibility
MENTAL HEALTH EXPLICITLY EXCLUDED as CONDITION for ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA1
 Over the next year, an expert panel review will take place to recommend protocols,
guidance, and safeguards to apply to requests for MAID by persons whose sole underlying
condition is a mental illness
 This report is due on March 17, 2022
 Mental Health Exclusion will be repealed on March 17, 2023
Eligibility
Only ONE WITTNESS is needed to sign patient request
 Can now include those directly providing health care services or personal care services to
the patient making a request, EXCEPT for the MAID Assessor/Provider (MD or NP)
Safeguard
Those whose
natural death
IS
Reasonably
Foreseeable
10 DAY REFLECTION PERIOD REMOVED2 Safeguard
FINAL CONSENT WAIVER OPTION
 Strict criteria for this to apply 3
 A written agreement needs to be signed by the patient and providing practitioner before
patient loses capacity (Waiver of Final Consent form)
Safeguard
Those whose
natural death
IS NOT
Reasonably
Foreseeable
At least ONE ASSESSOR must HAVE EXPERTISE4
in the CONDITION CAUSING PATIENT’S SUFFERING
 If neither do, then consult a MD or NP that does have that expertise
 The consultant does not need to be a certified specialist
 The consultant’s report must be shared with both assessors
Safeguard
PATIENT INFORMED OF MEANS available to relieve their suffering, including:
 Counselling, mental health/disability support services, community services, Palliative Care
 Depends on what’s appropriate for patients condition
PATIENT OFFERED CONSULTATIONS with relevant professionals who provide above services
PATIENT and Assessor HAD DISCUSSION AND gave SERIOUS CONSIDERATION to those relevant
and available means and both agree the patient has given serious consideration to those means
 Both assessors need to have done this
Safeguard
90 day minimum assessment period
 Begins on day on which first assessor begins his/her assessment5
 Can be shortened if both assessors agree patient is at imminent risk of losing capacity to
consent
Safeguard
1. Persons whose SOLE underlying medical condition is a mental illness are not eligible for MAID. If however, the mental illness exists in a person
who has another medical condition that satisfies all eligibility criteria, and the mental illness is not the reason the person is seeking MAID, the
person could be eligible for MAID.
2. The removal of 10day reflection period DOES NOT imply an obligation to urgently provide MAID; Each case will vary how quickly it can proceed
depending on multiple factors (i.e. complexity of patient, need for special consultations, availability of practitioners)
3. Waiver of Final Consent Criteria are:
2a. Before losing capacity to consent to receiving MAID, the patient
- natural death is reasonably foreseeable
- meets all of the eligibility criteria and related safeguards for MAID
- entered into a written agreement with providing practitioner who would administer a substance to cause their death on a
specified day
- has been informed by the providing practitioner that they are at risk of losing their capacity to consent to receive MAID
- in the written agreement they consented to receive MAID prior to the day specified in the agreement if they lost capacity to
consent prior to that day
2b. The Patient has lost the capacity to consent to receiving MAID
2c. The Patient does not demonstrate, by words, sounds, or gestures, refusal to have the substance administered or resistance to its
administration
2d. The substance is administered to the person in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
4. Expertise could be obtained through special training OR previous experience with patients with a similar condition. The expertise should be in
the condition that is causing suffering, not just the condition that is the serious and incurable illness/disease/disability (unless this is what is
causing the greatest suffering)
5. The start date of the assessment will be identified in writing by the 1
st assessor and shared with the CCS team. This date selected
will depend on the assessor’s view point of when they began their assessment (i.e. could begin with reviewing the patient’s file,
when meets with the patient, or any other reflection or consideration of info that forms part of MAID assessme

 

[nayr69sg]

In NZ no. In Belgium yes.

Canada still cannot. But might be repealed in 2022 for implementation 2023

 

[nayr69sg]

I wonder if having a small dick will be considered to be justifiable grounds for euthanasia.

No. Lol!

Well this MAID thing looks like it is catching on around the world. It is a matter of time.

 

[Froggy]

Depression? Life is hell... don't feel like living... can't get out of bed... can't sleep... etc etc. Valid reason?

Break ups too

 

[nayr69sg]

Funny how people are saying covid and covid vaccìne is way for governments to start culling population and old folks?

But when it comes to passing bills to allow doctors to kill patients with their consent no one is arguing against it?

Why ar? Oh because no evil pharma seems to involved?

Drs killing patients. Literally. And it is supposed to be good.

World is really quite crazy dont you think?

 

[syed putra]

Maybe give an option on way to die? Electric chair maybe?guillotine? In case tgere are some very fussy patients.

 

[nightsafari]

I wonder if having a small dick will be considered to be justifiable grounds for euthanasia.

Not being able to use a dick is more likely grounds.

 

[tanwahtiu]

Assisted dying: Doctors to be paid $1087 to perform procedure, starting next month​

Henry Cooke15:42, Oct 12 2021


The Government have announced the final details of how euthanasia will work in New Zealand when it becomes legal on November 7.

The law change was spurred by ACT MP David Seymour’s members’ bill and a referendum at the 2020 election, where the option to legalise assisting dying won 65 per cent of the vote.

Strict guidelines surround the procedure. People who wish to end their life under the law must be terminally ill and likely to die within the next six months.

They must be in an advanced state of irreversible decline and must be undergoing “unbearable” suffering. And they must be mentally able enough to make an informed decision.

Those who apply for assisted dying need two medical practitioners to agree that the person is eligible under the strict criteria. If there is any uncertainty about their capacity, a psychiatrist must assess their competency.

Strict safeguards surround the procedure.

The Ministry of Health must be informed of anyone who undergoes assisted dying, with a special review committee keeping track.

An official notice has been gazetted setting out a price schedule for the practice, including what medical practitioners will be paid by the Government for performing the procedure – $1087.20.


Other fees can be paid to those involved in assisted dying services, including psychiatrists who can be called upon to declare that the person requesting assisted dying is of sound mind and is not being pressured to do so.

Travelling costs are also included and are likely to be needed - a February survey suggested only about a third of medical practitioners were planning on offering assisted dying services.

Health Minister Andrew Little announced the membership of the committee who will review reports of those undergoing assisted dying: Dr Dana Wesnley, a medical ethicist, Beleinca Close, a health practitioner, and Dr Jane Greville, a medical practitioner practising end-of-life-care.

“This independent review mechanism is one of the many safeguards put in place to ensure the service is operating in line with strict criteria set out by the Act,” Little said.

ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff
Health Minister Andrew Little has announced the final details of the process.

“The other body required under the legislation, the Support and Consultation for End of Life in New Zealand group, or SCENZ, was appointed in August. Its responsibilities include maintaining a list of health practitioners providing assisted-dying services, and helping develop and oversee standards of care.”
Little said the funding was key to make sure the service was accessible, and for most people would be free.

“We expect that in most circumstances, these services will be provided in the community and will be free for people who meet the strict eligibility criteria,” Little said.

“Medical and nurse practitioners who provide care as part of the assisted-dying service will be paid for their work and for their travel costs.”


ACT’s End of Life Choice spokeswoman Brooke van Velden welcomed the news.

“On November 7, New Zealanders will be able to access the End of Life Choice Act, with those who are suffering able to end their lives in peace and dignity surrounded by loved ones,” she said.

“We say that a society should be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. Very soon our country will give those who face terrible suffering at the end of their life compassion and choice. It will be a good day to be a Kiwi.”

Cruise ship end of life trip better. No funeral cost to foot by the family.... let the crabs and lobsters eat up yr carcass then u eat the lobster end up on your dinner table...

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

A very idea to legalize in assisting the dying ones from suffering further. Should be done in Singapore as well. I had seen dying ones lying in the hospital suffering for months waiting for their last breathe. Their family became emotionally, mentally, physically & financially exhausted. If dying from illness is inevitable, it is better to die early than dragging the family into prolonged misery & suffering.

AMD for starters

 

[Franjipani]

Assisted dying: Doctors to be paid $1087 to perform procedure, starting next month​

Henry Cooke15:42, Oct 12 2021


The Government have announced the final details of how euthanasia will work in New Zealand when it becomes legal on November 7.

The law change was spurred by ACT MP David Seymour’s members’ bill and a referendum at the 2020 election, where the option to legalise assisting dying won 65 per cent of the vote.

Strict guidelines surround the procedure. People who wish to end their life under the law must be terminally ill and likely to die within the next six months.

They must be in an advanced state of irreversible decline and must be undergoing “unbearable” suffering. And they must be mentally able enough to make an informed decision.

Those who apply for assisted dying need two medical practitioners to agree that the person is eligible under the strict criteria. If there is any uncertainty about their capacity, a psychiatrist must assess their competency.

Strict safeguards surround the procedure.

The Ministry of Health must be informed of anyone who undergoes assisted dying, with a special review committee keeping track.

An official notice has been gazetted setting out a price schedule for the practice, including what medical practitioners will be paid by the Government for performing the procedure – $1087.20.


Other fees can be paid to those involved in assisted dying services, including psychiatrists who can be called upon to declare that the person requesting assisted dying is of sound mind and is not being pressured to do so.

Travelling costs are also included and are likely to be needed - a February survey suggested only about a third of medical practitioners were planning on offering assisted dying services.

Health Minister Andrew Little announced the membership of the committee who will review reports of those undergoing assisted dying: Dr Dana Wesnley, a medical ethicist, Beleinca Close, a health practitioner, and Dr Jane Greville, a medical practitioner practising end-of-life-care.

“This independent review mechanism is one of the many safeguards put in place to ensure the service is operating in line with strict criteria set out by the Act,” Little said.

ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff
Health Minister Andrew Little has announced the final details of the process.

“The other body required under the legislation, the Support and Consultation for End of Life in New Zealand group, or SCENZ, was appointed in August. Its responsibilities include maintaining a list of health practitioners providing assisted-dying services, and helping develop and oversee standards of care.”
Little said the funding was key to make sure the service was accessible, and for most people would be free.

“We expect that in most circumstances, these services will be provided in the community and will be free for people who meet the strict eligibility criteria,” Little said.

“Medical and nurse practitioners who provide care as part of the assisted-dying service will be paid for their work and for their travel costs.”


ACT’s End of Life Choice spokeswoman Brooke van Velden welcomed the news.

“On November 7, New Zealanders will be able to access the End of Life Choice Act, with those who are suffering able to end their lives in peace and dignity surrounded by loved ones,” she said.

“We say that a society should be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. Very soon our country will give those who face terrible suffering at the end of their life compassion and choice. It will be a good day to be a Kiwi.”

looks like a good option for me when I need this