'We feel that we were heard'
Mental health, addictions service to undergo review following teen's death last year
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A report examining the mental-health care provided to a teenager at Stanton Territorial Hospital has resulted in the start of an independent, overall review of mental health and addictions services provided by the GNWT across the territory.
The death last year of Timothy Henderson, 19, after multiple visits to Stanton Territorial Hospital, led to a review of his care. The results of that report has now prompted the GNWT to take a broader review of overall mental-health and addictions services. - James MacKenzie photo |
Following the death of 19-year-old Timothy Henderson last year, Henderson's parents and step-father went public to highlight gaps in the mental-health care he received in the territory and Alberta so others wouldn't experience the same issues.
Health Minister Glen Abernethy ordered an external review of how Henderson was treated. From that review, completed in October with its results kept secret because of territorial law, comes an "action plan" with 31 recommendations to change aspects of mental-health care, mostly at Stanton.
The first review was carried out by Dalhousie University psychiatrist Dr. Stanley Kutcher who lead the three-member committee that had access to Henderson's medical records, conducted interviews with staff members he interacted with and interviewed his parents. The other two members were director of territorial health services Kimberly Riles and manager of primary community and acute care services Yves Panneton.
For Henderson's stepfather James Boraski, the action plan tabled in the legislative assembly validates some of the concerns the family raised.
Those concerns included how parents weren't involved in discharge planning, use of fill-in psychiatrists, medical record hand-offs between the territory and Alberta and how patients were assessed for psychiatric care.
The action plan calls for multiple changes to policies, training and procedures at Stanton as well as things like making sure glass windows in the patient seclusion room can't be shattered or pushed out.
"We feel that we were heard," Boraski said in an interview last week, expressing appreciation of the health minister's commitments to improve care.
The recommendations follow multiple coroner inquests and reports calling for changes to mental-health care at the hospital. One recommendation in the action plan calls for a policy of reviewing and responding to coroner's recommendations.
For Boraski, a concern with the broader review is that the GNWT may decide to hold off moving to fix items the earlier case review uncovered.
"We think that this action plan points to things that can be addressed immediately," he said. "Don't delay those things because you're waiting for the outcome of a more broader report."
Abernethy said he's committed to improving care.
The sweeping review, already underway, will be carried out by independent mental health experts - including Kutcher - and will examine the structure of the mental health and addictions system and point to any gaps in care.
"The review will help ensure we have the best possible allocation of resources within the system so that programs are effective, efficient, and meet the needs of all our residents," Abernethy said in the legislative assembly March 3. He went on to say the GNWT recognizes mental-health care for children and youth must be "distinct" from adults. "We recognize there is a critical need to enhance and improve services so that children and youth can receive appropriate care and services," he said.
A report is due back to the government by the end of July, according to the terms of reference provided to Yellowknifer by the department.
It calls for a report outlining the "strengths and weaknesses" of the current mental health and addictions system with recommendations on how to fix it.
The system-wide review is expected to cost about $140,000, according to health department spokesperson Damien Healy.
"The review will include interviews key informants and direct engagement with a range of stakeholders, including clients and families with lived experience, front line service providers, and indigenous knowledge holders," Healy wrote in an e-mail. "The review will also include research into leading practices and evidence-based programs."
