B.C. woman says she was offered MAID in emergency and later climbed a volcano

An 84-year-old B.C. woman says a doctor at Vancouver General Hospital raised medically assisted death (MAID) when she arrived with a fractured sacrum; Vancouver Coastal Health says it is not aware of such a conversation and notes emergency staff are not generally in a position to raise MAID.

An 84-year-old woman from British Columbia and her daughter say MAID (medically assisted death) was raised early in an emergency visit after the woman arrived with a fractured sacrum. Vancouver Coastal Health has stated it is not aware of a conversation about MAID in the emergency department and described current guidance that emergency staff are not generally in a position to initiate MAID discussions. The family chose admission and rehabilitation, the woman recovered, and she later travelled and climbed a volcano. Known details: - The patient and her daughter say a doctor at Vancouver General Hospital offered MAID soon after they arrived with back pain and a fractured sacrum. - Vancouver Coastal Health said it is not aware of such a conversation and noted that, under guidelines, emergency staff are generally not expected to raise MAID with patients. - The woman was admitted for care and rehabilitation, recovered well, and subsequently participated in family events and travel, including climbing a volcano. - The patient did not file a formal complaint with the hospital and no further legal or procedural step is reported. Summary: The account has drawn public attention to whether clinicians should proactively raise MAID with patients in emergency settings and to how institutional guidance is applied. Vancouver Coastal Health has provided a statement about its awareness and the role of emergency staff. Undetermined at this time.