HEALTHCARE IN CRISIS
Patient dies while waiting hours to be seen in New Brunswick emergency department

Thu, July 14, 2022

FREDERICTON — The death of a patient in the waiting room of a Fredericton hospital's emergency department is prompting calls for major improvements to the province's health-care system.

John Staples, a residential support worker, witnessed the incident as he waited with a client at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital and posted details on social media.

He says the man appeared to be in a lot of pain and discomfort as he waited for hours in a wheelchair but eventually appeared to fall asleep, and it wasn't until one of the hospital staff checked on him that it was discovered he had died.

Staples says there's something wrong with the health-care system, and changes are needed.

The Opposition Liberals are calling for the resignation of Health Minister Dorothy Shephard and for funding to be directed to hiring more hospital staff.

Shephard has called for a review of the incident, and the president of the health authority that oversees the hospital says that process has begun.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2022.

The Canadian Press