Accessing MAID in Saskatchewan

To access the provincial Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program:

1. Connecting with the MAID Team 

• Anyone can refer to the program including patients, families or health-care providers from any discipline. 
• The program can be contacted toll free by dialing 1-833-473-6243 (MAID). 

2. Initial Contact  

• Anyone can call on behalf of the patient and receive information. The MAID team will need to speak with the patient directly to confirm their interest in MAID.  
• A MAID team member will briefly review with the patient their medical history.  
• A Frequently Asked Questions information sheet will be provided to you.

3. Written Request

• Patients are required to complete a written request by law. 
• Instructions as well as the written request will be provided by a team member after an information session. 
• Please view the Instructions for Written Request.

4. Review of Medical History 

• The MAID team will access and review medical records from the patient’s primary health-care team as well as relevant specialists, diagnostic imaging and lab results for assessment purposes. 

5. Independent Assessments    

• Federal legislation requires two independent assessments for eligibility. This is completed by a physician or nurse practitioner.  
• The program will arrange assessments, which may occur in person or virtually in someone’s home or in a facility.  
• The “Written Request” does not need to be completed prior to assessments. 
• It can take days, weeks or months to organize assessments and determine eligibility dependent on patient specific circumstances. 
• It may be necessary as part of the assessments for the patient to be reviewed by other health care professionals.  

6. Wait Period    

• Once a patient with a foreseeable death has been deemed eligible from both assessments; there is no minimum day wait period. 
• For patients with a non-foreseeable death there must be a minimum of 90 clear days from the date of the first assessment that deems a person eligible. 
• Once a patient is deemed eligible they decide if and when they want to set a date for MAID provision.

7. MAID Provision

• If the patient decides to proceed with a medically assisted death, the patient and MAID team will determine a date, time and location - home or health care facility 
  • Please note: this process may differ for patients who are located in a facility that has identified as a conscientious objector.
• The patient and family will need to identify a funeral home who will accept care of the patient upon their death. 
• At the time MAID is administered, the patient must have the capacity to provide consent unless an “Advanced Consent Arrangement” has been established for a patient who has a foreseeable death. 
• There is no “Advanced Consent Arrangement” for patients with a non-foreseeable death.  
• Advanced Consent Arrangements will need to be discussed with the MAID team. 
• A patient can change their mind at any time. This is a voluntary request.
• The MAID team will start an intravenous to administer the medication; after death has occurred the Medical Certificate of Death will be completed. Currently in Saskatchewan, there is no oral consumption option for MAID.