Canadian MAiD doctor declared patient dead, then left — patient was still breathing

A Canadian physician administering Medical Assistance in Dying has been placed under supervision by Nova Scotia’s physicians’ regulator after a patient he declared dead resumed breathing shortly after the doctor left the home — because he had administered an anaesthetic instead of the correct lethal medication.

Dr. James MacLean was the subject of two separate complaints. In the first, he gave a 67-year-old cancer patient an anaesthetic rather than the neuromuscular-blocking agent normally used in MAiD procedures — because he could not find where he had put it. He declared the patient dead and left the home. Shortly afterward, the patient resumed breathing.

In a second case, one of MacLean’s patients had his euthanasia appointment cancelled and rescheduled after MacLean failed to properly administer the procedure. MacLean has been placed under supervision rather than losing his license.

Right to Life UK spokesperson Catherine Robinson stated: “It is appalling that such carelessness was taken with regard to this individual’s life. Safeguards on paper do not mean much if doctors simply ignore them, and it seems that Dr MacLean has had little more than a slap on the wrist for his gross conduct. Canada is an example of what will likely happen if assisted dying is made legal, and why it should not be. MPs who may be considering bringing assisted suicide legislation forward should seriously think again.”