Vitalité Health Network says a patient died in the emergency room at Edmundston Regional Hospital on July 24, following a “tragic event.”
President and CEO Dr. France Desrosiers said in the statement: “The person, who had been admitted to the Emergency Department, lost his life under unforeseen and exceptional circumstances.”
The health authority provided few details about what happened on Sunday, but said no health workers or staff were injured.
“The Network also wishes to recognize the exemplary work and professionalism of its staff in handling this unfortunate incident,” Desrosier said in his statement.
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The health authority said that due to the “sensitive nature of the incident, no further details will be provided to the public at this time”.
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“Please be assured that a comprehensive internal assessment of the root cause of the incident is underway,” he said. “The Network is also collaborating with the police authorities and the coroner in their respective investigations.”
This news comes just two weeks after a patient died in the ER waiting room at Dr. Regional Hospital. Everett Chalmers of Fredericton.
1:58 PM Blaine Higgs replaces NB health minister after patient dies in ER Premier Blaine Higgs replaces NB health minister after patient dies in ER – July 15, 2022
On July 15, Prime Minister Blaine Higgs, a response to this death, fired the CEO of the Horizon Health Network, Dr. John Dornan and cleared both boards for the health authorities, saying that the change “start from the top”.
Higgs also reshuffled his cabinet, changing the health and social development ministers.
Officials respond to death
In the early hours of Monday afternoon, Health Minister Bruce Fitch and Social Development Minister Dorothy Shephard made their first appearance together since effectively swapping portfolios following the death of the Chalmers.
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They did not provide any specific details about the incident in Edmundston, citing confidentiality, although media reports have indicated that the death was a suicide.
“I’m aware of the situation and it was a tragic event,” Fitch said.
“There is an ongoing investigation. Unfortunately, I cannot release any details at this time due to the investigation. I know, again, this was a traumatic situation for the staff and for the individual’s family.”
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Fitch said he wants to stabilize the health care system. He said he has met with the two trustees who were appointed to replace the board of the two regional health authorities and that there are “a number of initiatives that are happening at the moment that are addressing some of the problems in emergency departments, specifically at Chalmers.”
He said there will be an announcement about it in the “near future.”
Shephard said “cabinet reshuffles sometimes happen”, when discussing his removal from the health portfolio following the previous death.
“This is a move that the prime minister felt he had to make to upgrade,” he said in a statement to reporters on Monday.
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She responded to the death in Fredericton, while a minister, by saying all incidents were tragic and investigations are ongoing.
The Edmundston Police Force confirmed it is investigating the circumstances of Sunday’s hospital death.
In a press release, the police force said it received a call in the early morning hours of July 24 “to provide assistance following an event where unfortunately one person died in unexpected circumstances.”
“An investigation is currently underway to better understand and assess the facts surrounding this unfortunate incident,” according to the press release.
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Vitalité declined to comment on questions related to staffing levels on the night of the incident.
The province’s health care system has faced continued strain and staff shortages. Many rural emergency rooms, under the English health authority Horizon Health Network, have been forced to reduce opening hours or close.
There is no indication that Edmundston Regional Hospital was facing any staffing issues on the night of the death.
Desrosier did not address reporters Monday, but issued a video statement reiterating all the details released in an earlier news release. He spoke entirely in French.
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Edmundston Regional Hospital has been facing staffing issues in its pediatric and obstetrics units due to a shortage of pediatricians.
The service was interrupted from Monday until next Friday, according to the health authority.
“We are in the middle of summer and barely out of the pandemic, so the temporary lack of staff forces us to review how we will provide care to the public,” said Desrosier in the statement published on the authority’s website sanitary .
“Disruption of services is not acceptable, and we are proactively working to increase the resilience of our services to avoid such situations! Affected pregnant women will be contacted individually to establish a safe delivery plan for each of them.”
— With files from Robert Lothian.
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