Quebec’s chief coroner has ordered a public inquiry into the death of a quadriplegic man who requested medical assistance in dying last March after developing bed sores at Saint-Jérôme hospital. and having experienced great suffering.
It was the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, who made this request to the coroner after learning of the death of Normand Meunier in such circumstances.
This investigation will likely be an opportunity to analyze whether Quebecers request medical assistance in dying because they are unable to obtain adequate care that could relieve their pain or whether this is an isolated case.
The 66-year-old went to Saint-Jérôme hospital in January 2024 to treat a respiratory virus. Without a mattress suitable for his condition, he developed a major pressure ulcer in his buttocks, and on March 29, he reportedly requested medical assistance in dying to end his suffering.
Last month, the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, also launched an independent investigation into the tragic death of Normand Meunier, following pressure from opposition parties who claimed abuse.
Minister Dubé then repeated that he found it “totally unacceptable” that Mr. Meunier died in these circumstances.
It’s the coroner Me Dave Kimpton who was appointed to chair this investigation. The hearings will allow any interested person to express themselves regarding the circumstances of this death in order to analyze all the contributing factors, with a view to making recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances, underlines the office of the coroner. The start date of this investigation has not yet been determined.
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