Death of baby in Gjoa Haven 'reported as critical incident'
Two investigations initiated into death of infant
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, July 18, 2016
UQSUQTUUQ/GJOA HAVEN
The Department of Health and the coroner's office have each initiated separate investigations into the death of a baby July 4 while under care in Gjoa Haven.
In a statement released by communications specialist Ron Wassink July 12, the Department of Health said the baby's death was "reported as a critical incident."
A critical incident, according to the department, is "any unintended/unexpected event that occurs when a patient receives treatment in the health centre or hospital or delivery of care to a patient that results in death ..." and "does not result primarily from the patient's underlying medical condition or from a known risk inherent in providing the treatment."
Speaking to Nunavut News/North July 14, Health Minister George Hickes said the protocol followed by the department after the death of the infant, who has only been identified as less than five years of age, is a result of a recommendation from the independent review conducted by lawyer Katherine Peterson. A Journey Through Heartache was the title of the long-awaited review into the 2012 death of an infant in Cape Dorset released last December.
"That was one of the recommendations that came out of Katherine Peterson's report of the Cape Dorset incident - having an established process for any critical incidents," said Hickes.
"That's one thing that did get streamlined very well. As terrible as it is that this incident even happened, the protocols that were established did work. Everyone was notified in an expedient manner."
As a result of that protocol, support staff was immediately flown into the community.
"Within hours," said Hickes. "Late afternoon, early evening support staff were flown into the community to provide support for the family involved, for the staff there and the community itself. Again, that was a very quick reaction from the staff, to recognize that supports were needed at the community level."
The coroner is obligated to conduct an investigation.
"When anyone under five passes away suddenly, they have to do an investigation. And with us, any time that there's a sudden death, we want to find out why," Hickes said.
"We want to make sure that we're interviewing all the people that were involved to make sure that everything was followed and if there's any lessons to be learned."
In fact, one of Peterson's findings during her review of the Cape Dorset death in 2015 was the department failed to investigate.
"All interviews conducted by me indicate that at no point was an internal review undertaken by the Department of Health or regional office specifically regarding the Timilak fatality," stated Peterson.
Hickes said protocol is in place for this step, as well.
"I'm involved, to some degree, overseeing (the investigation), but the regional director is actually in Gjoa Haven right now, flew in yesterday (July 13), to start conducting senior personnel interviews and have discussions with the family. Basically, the investigation started immediately, making sure all the protocols were being followed."
The minister could not say when the investigation would be completed.
"It's hard to put a timeline on it. Some of it is dependent upon information from the coroner's office. I can assure you it's going to happen as fast as possible, but that the correct job is done. I don't want to push for it to follow a strict timeline if it makes it more challenging to get all the right information," he said.
"I know it's vague, but until the investigation is done there's not a lot I can comment on. When the investigation is complete we'll be sharing it with the family and the community. And if there's any lessons to be learned, we'll take those into practice, as well."
Hickes expressed his concern for the family.
"At the end of the day, my main focus is on the family, to make sure they're given all the supports that they need to deal with this tragedy. As a parent myself, I can't even imagine what they're going through right now," he said.
"I know the community's been very supportive. I've been in communication regularly with MLA Tony Akoak. My heart goes out to the family and the community."
A new inquest into the 2012 death of Cape Dorset infant Makibi Timilak was announced in February. The coroner's office did not respond to questions regarding when that inquest would be scheduled.
