January 24, 2025
Statement from Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara on Preliminary Update of Critical Incident Investigation at Health Sciences Centre
Just over two weeks ago, a Manitoban who was valued and had people who loved him, passed away in the emergency department at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg.
This tragedy has impacted many. Our government reaffirms our commitment to fixing the health-care system so it works better for patients and we are undertaking a thorough investigation into the circumstances of this patient’s death. The findings of this investigation will inform learnings for the system that better protect patients across Manitoba.
Shared Health has provided my office with a preliminary update on the status of this investigation. Shared Health indicates this investigation must be done carefully and is informed by the autopsy report generated by the chief medical examiner. Final autopsy results, including toxicology findings, are expected by end of next week. The patient’s family will be notified of the autopsy findings as soon as the report is ready. The critical incident investigation is expected to conclude at least two weeks from Shared Health’s receipt of autopsy results.
A critical incident investigation determines the facts of a situation and makes recommendations for improvement to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
This patient died without the dignity and compassion every Manitoban has a right to receive at the end of their life. Our government has an obligation to him, his family and all Manitobans to respond to this failing and take action to improve health care. Our government is working to put system changes in place that will align with recommendations from the critical incident review process and we look forward to sharing these with the public once we are able.
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