Four years have passed since a 24-year-old Indigenous woman passed away in a St. Catharines, Ont., hospital, and her family is still awaiting a coroner’s inquest to uncover the reasons behind the lack of adequate medical care she received. Heather Winterstein visited the Marotta Family Hospital, previously known as the St. Catharines General Hospital, on December 9, 2021, complaining of a severe backache. Despite being sent home with only Tylenol, she returned the following day and collapsed in the waiting area, passing away shortly after due to a Strep A blood infection.
Winterstein’s aunt, Jill Lunn, expressed the family’s devastation over her death, believing it could have been prevented. Described as a gentle soul who cherished her family, animals, and the color pink, Winterstein had ties to both the Saugeen and Six Nations of the Grand River first nations. The family suspects that Winterstein did not receive proper medical attention at the hospital due to underlying systemic racism and biases.
The delay in the coroner’s inquest process, which can occur years after a person’s passing, has left many unanswered questions for Winterstein’s family. Despite the Ministry of the Solicitor General announcing an inquest to investigate the circumstances leading to Winterstein’s death and potentially recommend improvements, no specific date or location has been set as of now.
In a review conducted by a third-party panel at the request of Niagara Health in 2022, it was discovered that Winterstein was discharged without a proper assessment despite showing abnormal vital signs during her initial hospital visit. The panel highlighted that Winterstein’s diagnosis initially focused on social issues rather than her physical health.
Upon her return to the hospital the next day, Winterstein endured a lengthy wait and received assistance from non-medical staff and other patients before collapsing. The panel suggested that unconscious bias may have impacted Winterstein’s care due to preconceived labels of addiction and homelessness.
Niagara Health has since accepted all recommendations put forth by the panel and implemented several changes to address cultural safety concerns and support Indigenous patients. These changes include mandatory cultural safety training for staff, the establishment of an Indigenous space at the Marotta Family Hospital, and the creation of an Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation team.
Winterstein’s family is eager for the inquiry to bring justice and lasting change, emphasizing the need to combat anti-Indigenous racism and bias in healthcare by enhancing Indigenous representation in healthcare roles and ensuring equitable access to essential services.
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