[LabComm] MacPhail Slams New Health Minister For Ignoring Missing Recommendations in Morritt Death

[BC NDP NEWSWIRE]

MacPhail Slams New Health Minister For Ignoring Missing Recommendations in Morritt Death



VANCOUVER - Recently appointed Health Minister Shirley Bond's negligent response to the Coroner's Report into the death of Edward Morritt shows that she is more interested in seeking political cover than providing care to patients, Opposition House Leader Joy MacPhail said today. 

MacPhail was reacting to Health Minister Shirley Bond's dismissal of demands that she release the three recommendations contained in the draft Coroner's report on the tragic death of Mr. Morritt.

"British Columbians want to know that when concerns are raised about the health system - concerns that may regard patient safety - someone is going to take action," said MacPhail.  "They want answers and they want to know that the government is taking the death of Edward Morritt seriously."

In March 2004, Edward Morrit was admitted to the Kootenay Lake General Hospital in Nelson after an accident at his residence. The lack of on-call ultrasound technicians at the KLH forced Mr. Morrit's transfer to Trail where he died from his injuries after waiting six hours to be diagnosed with internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen.  

This week, it came to light that for unexplained reasons, recommendations for improved patient care at the Kootenay Lake General Hospital were left out of the Coroner's final report.

"It may be that the Health Minister is still getting up to speed on her new job, but it's really a very simple task:  call the Coroner's office, ask for the recommendations and make them public.  

"The tough part comes in responding to those recommendations and taking responsibility for her BC Liberal health cuts in the Kootenays.  I suspect that's why Ms. Bond won't do her job and pick up the phone."

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