Myth 2:
A health professional who withholds or withdraws life-sustaining treatment performs euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide
No. A health professional does not perform euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide by withholding or withdrawing treatment even if that treatment is needed to keep the person alive.
Euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide occurs when the health professional intends to bring about the person’s death by actively administering a drug to the person, or providing the drug for the person to take.
Withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment is an accepted and common part of medical practice. It will be lawful provided any necessary consents are obtained. When life-sustaining treatment is withheld or withdrawn, the person is considered to have died naturally from their medical condition or disease.