KINNGAIT/CAPE DORSET
A nurse who worked for months in Cape Dorset has started an online petition to push the Government of Nunavut into following through on its promised independent external investigation into events that allegedly led to the death of three-month-old infant Makibi Akesuk Timilak in 2012.
"Because the government has promised an investigation and it's been three months and they haven't done anything," is how Gwen Slade described her reasons for starting the petition. "They haven't even picked anyone to do it."
Ron Wassink, acting manager of communications for the Department of Health, stated in an e-mail Feb. 10 that "the Department of Health is in the process of identifying potential candidates to complete the review."
The promise for an independent external investigation came from then Health Minister Monica Ell in the legislative assembly Oct. 6 in response to a statement during Question Period by Cape Dorset MLA David Joanasie.
The allegations surrounding the death of the infant include numerous and ongoing complaints about nurse Debbie McKeown, who would later be promoted to the top position at the Cape Dorset health centre and the handling of the situation related to the infant's death by the Department of Health. Complaints continued over a three-year period. An autopsy revealed the infant died from a treatable viral lung infection.
Slade alleges in her petition that on "April 5, 2012 little three-month-old Makibi was found dead by his mother. Approximately seven hours earlier, Makibi's mom had called the health clinic seeking help and spoke to Debbie McKeown, RN. McKeown refused to see the infant."
In May 2014, McKeown had her licence suspended by the Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
"Health care belongs to the people," Slade said. "The government needs to be accountable to the people who own it. As Canadians, we need to stop this crap."
Incredulous that the situation in Cape Dorset was allowed to continue by Department of Health officials, Slade says she hopes an independent external investigation "will reveal the system has to be overhauled."
The petition names senior bureuacrats in the Nunavut Department of Health and states they "failed to live up to the expectations of the responsibilities" that dictate their job.
With more than 500 signatures so far, Slade said that when she reaches 1,000 names she will present the petition to Health Minister Paul Okalik.
Joanasie has signed the petition. With his signature, he stated, "The people of Cape Dorset are waiting for answers to questions surrounding the circumstances of this unfortunate tragedy. The Government of Nunavut must do good on its commitment to have an external investigation completed immediately."
Joanasie went toe to toe with Ell in the legislative assembly when he demanded answers.
"The issues raised ... are troubling about the manner in which the government handled concerns about the services being provided at the community's health centre," Joanasie said in his member's statement Oct. 6, which he could not conclude. Ell was the sole vote that denied him unanimous consent to continue when his time ran out.
Slade says speaking up has cost her "everything."
"I had a 38-year exemplary career."
She no longer practices nursing.
"It was such a traumatic event. The very thought of going back in causes a great deal of anxiety," she said. "Had I known that those in senior management were so corrupt, I would not have worked there in the first place."
Slade worked as a community health nurse in Inuit communities in all three regions of Nunavut from 2006 until 2013.
"I would go to any hamlet's health centre that was short staffed or needed extra help. The length of time varied between a month to three months, depending on the need of the nursing station."
Cape Dorset was a five-nurse station, plus the nurse in charge.
Slade completed contracts a number of times in Cape Dorset between 2006 and 2008, then returned in 2011.
"I worked in Dorset for a month in the summer of 2011. Again for six weeks from November to December 2011, then returned early because they were going to be short staffed. I returned Jan. 7, 2012 and was suspended Feb. 20, 2012, and allowed to go home Feb. 27, 2012," Slade said.
That suspension was due to a complaint filed by Heather Hackney, McKeown's superior, when Slade repeatedly spoke out about alleged misdiagnoses and irresponsible behaviour. After an investigation, the Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut dismissed the complaint against Slade, according to a letter from the director of professional conduct, Jan Inman.
