A Canadian doctor has been suspended after euthanising a man with Crohn's disease following a brief medical assessment outside a Tim Hortons fast food restaurant. Dr James MacLean, from London, Ontario, was investigated by police over allegations he improperly administered Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to two patients.
Thomas Dillon, 63, was assessed by Dr MacLean in June 2023 and found eligible for MAID under 'track 2', which is reserved for patients who are not expected to die imminently but suffer from an incurable condition. The doctor reportedly exchanged dozens of texts with Mr Dillon about the plans and drove him to a morgue on the day of the procedure in June 2024.
Mr Dillon died inside an industrial unit holding human cadavers after being administered a lethal cocktail of drugs, according to a committee at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). The committee found that Dr MacLean's frequent text messages and decision to drive the patient to the morgue 'created a risk that his involvement could be perceived as influencing the patient'.
A second complaint involved a cancer patient who had signed a waiver of final consent for MAID. The patient lost capacity before the chosen date, and Dr MacLean was called to the home with a MAID kit. He administered a sedative and propofol, but could not find the neuromuscular-blocking drug. After pronouncing the patient dead, he left, but was forced to return when the patient resumed breathing. He then administered more medication and a paralyzing agent.
The CPSO imposed strict conditions on Dr MacLean's practice, including mandatory clinical supervision for at least six months, review of his MAID patient charts, and completion of professional education on MAID, consent, and boundaries. College spokesperson Mickey Cirak said the undertaking imposes 'extensive oversight and monitoring requirements'. Dr MacLean declined to comment, citing privacy rules.
