Draft policy would give Manitoba docs power to stop treatment

The body overseeing Manitoba's doctorsis considering giving physicians the authority to stop or withhold medical treatment, even if the patient or family disagrees.

CBC News has obtained a draft document from Manitoba's College of Physicians and Surgeons that sets out proposed policies surrounding end-of-life decisions in hospitals.

The draft policy spells out the process that doctors must followwhen deciding whether to withhold or withdraw respirators, breathing tubes and feeding tubes, or continue with treatments like dialysis.

It concludes doctors have the authority to make the final decision concerning treatments, butwould givefamilies 96 hours notice of the decision and theright to appealit through asecond opinion or court intervention.

College registrar Dr. Bill Pope said physicians make these kinds of decisions every day.

"This actually puts some boundaries around the ability of physicians to, as you put it, play God," said Pope.

"The fact remains that these decisions are being made all the time, so this gives some direction to them and to patients as to how they may access assistance."

Precedent-setting policy?

Some patient advocates across the country are worried the proposed policy could set a precedent that other provinces will eventually follow.

Jocelyn Downie, a law and medicine professor at Dalhousie University in Halifax, says the final decision should rest with patients and their families.

"At stake is decision-making at the end of life. Deciding when we should stop treating and recognizing the decision doesn't belong to physicians," said Downie.

People with disabilities say the draft policy goes beyond end-of-life care to include patients who are conscious and can speak for themselves.

Jim Derksen, who has had polio since he was a child, uses a respirator at night.

"I have friends who use respirators, who have had feeding tubes for decades. That a document would give a doctor the power to withdraw the respirator or the feeding tube, this is a concern to people who are aware of how fragile life is and who depend on these kinds of systems."

Patients need time, says B.C. family

The daughter ofa Vancouver man saysshe's concerned the Manitoba proposal willcause doctors to makepatient-care decisions too quickly.

Last year, 62-year-old Harvbhajian Bathhad a heart attack. Within 12 hours, doctors said he was brain dead and recommended he not be given life support.

The family called a lawyer and eventually, Bath rallied to the point that he was sent home.

His daughter, Ruby Bhullar,said Bathstill has seriousbrain damage, butthat he shows emotions and hugs his grandson. Two weeks ago, he attended a family wedding.

"Maybe there could be someone like my dad that recovers somewhat or could recover fully if they had the time to do so," said Bhullar.

"That's what I would be afraid of, that those families aren't going to have the time to see that family member could have made some sort of recovery."