HALIFAX - The head of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia hopes a new draft document can eventually assist the province's supreme court in dealing with potential requests for doctor-assisted deaths.
College CEO, Dr. Doug Grant, says the guidelines are needed, especially since the Supreme Court of Canada recently extended the deadline for Ottawa to produce a new law until June.
Grant says until the new law is in place, the top court's decision allows people to apply to a judge for a physician-assisted death.
He says he believes the draft standard of practice produced by the college would provide "guidance that might be of value."
Sheila Sperry, spokeswoman for the Nova Scotia chapter of Dying with Dignity Canada, says she also thinks the draft policy could serve as a proper guide for people who want to make an immediate request in court.
The college is currently asking for input from its members on the standard of practice through an online survey that ends Feb. 7.
