Yukon NDP raise questions over Watson Lake Hospital deaths
Coroner's office issues reports on accidental death and misdiagnosis
The Yukon NDP is calling on the Yukon Hospital Corporation and Yukon government to respond to recent coroner's reports into the deaths of two women treated at Watson Lake Hospital.
Teresa Ann Scheunert, 47, died in Watson Lake Hospital 13 months ago. The coroner ruled her death accidental, caused by an overdose of multiple painkillers which were poorly monitored.
Chief coroner Kirsten Macdonald concluded the health care system let Scheunert down, with the Hospital Corporation failing to follow best practices.
As well, Mary Johnny, 60, died in Whitehorse General Hospital last August after being medevaced from Watson Lake Hospital with severe organ failure.
The coroner found Watson Lake doctors misdiagnosed Johnny as suffering alcohol withdrawal when in fact she had a bowel obstruction.
NDP health critic Jan Stick said she's shocked by the coroner's reports, as well as the silence from senior health officials.
"We haven't heard anything from the hospital corp. or the department and I would like to know what they are doing to address the recommendations from the coroner and what kind of timeline do they have that's going to reassure Yukoners that they're being cared for appropriately."
Stick said Yukoners have the right to know about major failures in the hospitals. She also asked why the public is only hearing about these cases a year after the fact.