Better recording, reporting and responding needed in critical incidents cases: Gerrard

Winnipeg – Manitoba Liberal Leader Dr.Jon Gerrard today called for full implementation of the recommendations from the Sinclair report of November 27, 2000 especially in regards to giving Manitobans the right to out of province referrals and conducting a review within 48 hours after the occurrence of a critical incident as well as completing a report within 72 hours.

“It is unbelievable to me that patients like Mr. Rene Lafournaise are still being refused access to critically needed surgery when Justice Sinclair did a report seven years ago making this very recommendation,” Dr.Gerrard said.  “Patients must have a right to an out of province referral including where the patient or parent chooses to have a procedure performed by a surgeon or institution with more appropriate experience when the surgeon or institution in Manitoba lacks the same experience.”

Gerrard also questioned the Minister of Health about the handling of medical errors and critical incidents, and whether the majority of cases are attended to within the recommended timeline of 48 hours for a review and 72 hours for a report.

“There are many tragic medical errors in Manitoba and this government has been slow to act,” Dr.Gerrard said. “There has to be a system in place to ensure that recommendations from reviews of medical errors are being followed and that the results of actions taken are communicated to health care professionals, and to family members affected by the medical error or critical incident.”