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5.2 Recommendations for Further Action

This concludes the second research paper the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities has put forward on patients’ rights and the risks for persons with disabilities within the health care system. The final goal of all the League’s work in addressing patients’ rights, and the risk to life that medical discrimination in Manitoba poses, is to bring to the forefront of the public and the political agendum the need to ensure the basic human rights and protection to persons with disabilities which they are granted under the Canadian Charter. To this end, the following recommendations are proposed:

FOR THE PROVINCE OF MANITOBA

1.	That the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities work to become a member of whatever Health Authority body or working group will examine current policies and policy gaps in Manitoba concerning the placement of Do Not Resuscitate Orders on patients. As part of this group, the MLPD will advocate for patients’ rights to have decision making capacity in the application of such orders.
2.	That the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities actively pursue funding in order to implement a province-wide education project that would inform and emphasize to its membership and others the importance of:
	a.	Knowledge of patients’ rights;
	b.	The capacity to self-advocate;
	in order for persons with disabilities to be protected in critical medical situations.
3.	That the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities and the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, as well established organizations with a long history of advocacy and volunteer committees which have made a commitment to this issue, undertake the next stages of the work needed in order to take the “Will to Live” idea from its conceptual stage and move it into practice. The intention would be to have a “Will to Live” template become a tool readily available to persons with disabilities at the grassroots level across Canada.
4.	That the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities actively pursue the opportunity to participate in the Manitoba Law reform Commission process as it undertakes to examine the law concerning patients’ rights.

FOR THE BROADER COMMUNITY:

5.	That other consumer organizations consider developing a “Will To Live” document for their own consumers. This document can be useful and persuasive in informing any health care professionals as to a patients wishes. It might also be helpful in any dispute resolution process that health care institutions have in place.
6.	That the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities and other organizations work to become part of whatever bodies are working on policies concerning patients’ rights in there own jurisdictions.
7.	That disability rights organizations work towards law reform in the area of patients rights in order to ensure the fundamental human rights of people with disabilities.

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