It was a death that could have easily been avoided and a cover-up that just added to an already tragic situation. And now, it’s time that someone was held responsible.
Most Manitobans have heard of the sad story of Brian Sinclair. He was the Winnipeg man, a double amputee confined to a wheelchair, who went to the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) in September of last year in need of medical treatment. After 34 hours waiting in the HSC Emergency Room he was found dead by a member of the public. Later it was revealed that Mr. Sinclair simply had a blocked catheter and that changing it would have saved his life.
The death of Mr. Sinclair only became public when the news media were tipped off about the story. It was later confirmed by health officials and the NDP Minister of Health Theresa Oswald. Almost immediately, health officials with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and the Minister of Health began telling the public that Brian Sinclair never checked in with the triage desk to seek care at the HSC Emergency Room so staff were unaware that he was in need of help.
That is the story that both the Minister of Health and health officials stuck with for weeks. Changes were made to the set-up of the emergency room so that no patient could again be left unnoticed as Brian Sinclair was according to the Minister of Health and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority officials. The public statements and the actions taken left the impression that, while Mr. Sinclair’s death was tragic, he somehow contributed to his own demise. All that changed last week.
Last week Manitoba’s Chief Medical Examiner revealed that security cameras showed Mr. Sinclair had gone to the triage desk seeking care that fateful day. In fact, not only did he approach the desk, a medical staff person spoke with him and made a note of the conversation. Also revealed was that during the 34 hour ordeal, security guards at HSC went to seek help for Mr. Sinclair because he was vomiting in the emergency room. And still he did not receive medical attention.
These events were contrary to what the NDP Minister of Health had told the public and this week she admitted that she in fact knew that Mr. Sinclair had approached the triage desk when he arrived at the Health Sciences Centre. The Minister of Health admitted that she knew the truth since last October but didn’t correct the public record instead letting the public believe that Mr. Sinclair had not come to the hospital desk looking for care.
The Minister of Health is accountable for ensuring a quality and responsive healthcare system exists in Manitoba. But just as importantly, the Minister is also responsible for ensuring there is transparency and openness regarding failings in the healthcare system. By covering up the truth in the case of Brian Sinclair, it compounded a tragedy. And for the sake of confidence in the healthcare system, it’s time for someone else to assume the role Minister of Health.
