MLA calls for health secretary to resign after woman’s ‘terrible’ hospital visit in Penticton, BC – Okanagan

A traumatic experience in the emergency room at a South Okanagan hospital reached the bottom of the BC Legislature, prompting a call for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to resign.

A mother named Sara suffered a traumatic miscarriage at Penticton Regional Hospital. She shared her story with another media outlet, which Shirley Bond, BC’s health critic and MLA for Prince George-Valemont, referenced during Question Time.

Bond called it a “terrible example and proof that the health system has collapsed in this province”.

“A second trimester mother presented to the emergency room at Penticton Regional Hospital in excruciating pain. She was left alone for an hour and a half before being told to use the washroom where she miscarried her son,” Bond said during Question Time.

“Sara said that’s Sara’s voice, not mine. “I went in and gave birth to my son all by myself, screaming for help. I was just standing in the bathroom next to the wheelchair and we had no help.’”

Bond went on to say that even when Sara was put into a room, she was left alone for hours.

“She was waiting alone again, traumatized and in shock,” Bond said.

During his speech, Bond emphasized that this issue is not about blaming nurses or doctors.

“They’re overwhelmed, they’re demoralized, they’re overwhelmed. It starts at the top and it starts with a minister who keeps failing. Acknowledging the crisis we have in our province and not taking responsibility for the results,” Bond said.

“We have a healthcare system that has collapsed. British Columbians like Sara and countless others deserve better and the minister knows it.”

She demands immediate changes and the resignation of the minister.

“Something has to change, it just can’t be done,” Bond said.

“I ask the minister today to acknowledge not only Sara’s pain but also the situation that exists in this province. It’s time he did the right thing. Something has to change. It starts at the top.”

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BC Health Minister Adrian Dix answered Bond during Question Time.

“Every time this occurs, we need to review and improve the system to better respond and hear those voices,” Dix said during Question Time.

“That’s why we conduct independent reviews of these processes to make sure people are given a sense of agency and voice, and those reviews are people-initiated in exactly those cases.”

Meanwhile, Global News reached out to Interior Health for more information and confirmation as to whether there is an investigation into this incident and what that process will look like.

“Interior Health and our staff and physicians recognize that the loss of a child at any point in pregnancy is traumatic and we deeply regret this patient’s experience. Our thoughts are with her and her family at this difficult time,” Interior Health said in a statement.

“We can confirm that our Patient Care Quality Office (PCQO) is investigating the concerns she has raised to ensure they are thoroughly investigated.”

According to Interior Health, the PCQO will collect information about an individual’s concerns and respond directly to them.

“Reviews by the PCQO will help inform improvements where appropriate,” Interior Health said.

Interior Health added that the PCQO is committed to responding to customers within 40 business days, but complex cases like Sara’s could take longer.

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