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Patients deserve a voice at the table, and they are represented at The Royal by a council that supports, advises and advocates in their interests with management and clinicians. Effective care is only possible through true engagement with patients. We show this attitude through our seven core patient rights.
Patient and families can freely express their thoughts about their care—positive or negative—without fear of repercussion.
Patients and families can expect to always be treated with compassion, respect and dignity while being treated at The Royal.
Patients are equal and active participants in their treatment and decision making.
Patients and, if appropriate, their families or substitute decision makers, are provided with reliable and up-to-date information about their treatment and care to support informed decisions and active participation.
All clinical care is evidence‐based, high quality and meets or exceeds legislative, regulatory and professional standards.
Patients can expect privacy and confidentiality as well as the security of their personal and personal health information.
Patients receive treatment and care in an environment that supports recovery.
Medical Assistance in Dying, known as MAiD, is a procedure in which a person chooses to receive medications to intentionally and safely end their life under the care of a qualified physician.
Currently, individuals whose sole underlying condition is mental illness-related are not eligible to receive MAiD. New legislative changes have been initiated. Effective March 17, 2027, these changes are scheduled to open eligibility for patients whose sole underlying condition is mental illness.
MAiD is a complex issue. Patients and families understandably have many questions. We support patients who may qualify for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) due to additional underlying conditions by making referrals to the Champlain Regional MAiD Network. We will not impede any patient’s request for MAiD as a part of their health care journey. However, at this time, MAiD is not provided at The Royal.
One of The Royal’s core values is recovery, and our priority is to support patients in reclaiming their lives from mental illness. This includes providing accurate and accessible information about MAiD and eliminating barriers where possible for patients seeking MAiD services. Patients will not be discriminated against or judged by a request for MAiD assessment or provision.
The government has extended the timeframe until March 17, 2027, for when patients solely suffering from mental illness can receive MAiD. Before that time arrives, we are working to determine how The Royal will participate and operationalize services for MAiD. We have convened an internal working group, which includes patient and family representation, to conduct this effort.
To be deemed eligible for MAiD, a person must meet the following criteria:
A person is considered to have a grievous and irremediable medical condition if they meet the following criteria:
A person’s death does not need to be reasonably foreseeable for MAiD eligibility (i.e., a person does not need to be at the end of life).
To be capable of making health care decisions, a person must:
A person’s medical condition can change very quickly. This can cause them to lose their ability to make decisions. If a person is at risk of losing capacity because of their condition, their MAiD assessor will discuss what options may be available.
No, a person does not have to go through treatment before requesting MAiD. However, the assessors will confirm that each person is aware of the available and appropriate means to relieve their suffering, including counselling services, mental health and disability support services, community services and palliative care.
Like all personal health information, decisions about MAiD are protected by privacy law and can only be shared if the person agrees. Families and close support networks do not have a legal right to be informed or intervene when someone requests MAiD. However, people who pursue MAiD are strongly encouraged to talk with their family members and close friends about their decision.
Currently no. The Canadian government has extended the period before which people whose sole underlying condition is mental illness are eligible for MAiD until March 17, 2027. People who have a “grievous and irremediable” physical condition or illness alongside mental illness may be eligible under current legislation.
As mental illness is not currently a legal condition to provide MAiD, The Royal does not provide these services. When legislation changes in 2027, we may update our position and services. At present, The Royal can refer interested patients to the Champlain Regional MAiD Network for information and resources. We have launched an internal working group to define our position for the future, and will ensure our decision on MAiD services matches our organizational mission and values.
First-person feedback is crucial to maintaining high standards of care. We want to know what worked during your treatment and what didn’t. All current and past patients of The Royal are invited to complete a survey about their experience.
1145 Carling Ave.,
Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4
(613) 722-6521
1141 Carling Ave.,
Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4
(613) 722-6521
1804 Highway 2 E, P.O. Box 1050,
Brockville, ON K6V 5W7
(613) 345-1461
2121 Carling Ave.,
Ottawa, ON K2A 1H2
(613) 722-6521
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