In my opinion, the apology by the Hamilton Health Sciences Centre (HHSC) does not mark a “new era” in response to medical error.1 I knew immediately that the death of my daughter, Claire, resulted from an adverse event, but the facility initially offered no response, no condolences — nothing whatsoever. Dr. Andrew McCallum (chief of staff at HHSC) was not even aware of the death until I alerted him to it. HHSC demonstrated no intent to conduct a proper internal review or offer an apology until 6 months of relentless advocacy on my part. My question is this: Had I not been a registered nurse who clearly understood the mechanisms of Claire's senseless death and informed HHSC of that understanding, would there have been an apology? My gut instinct says, No.
HHSC has gone only halfway in its apology, having made no effort to address the professional and personal accountability of the medical staff who were responsible for Claire's care. Yet our family remains devastated in the wake of a staff member's actions, which led to the death of a beautiful, profoundly loved, 11½-year-old child.
In cases such as these, I don't think the lawyers are “winners,” as HHSC president and CEO Murray Martin has stated. The lawyers with whom I have been in contact have expressed their shock and outrage at the manner in which this child died. In fact, we all lose when one of the most valuable members of society and a representative of its future — a child — needlessly dies.
John E. Lewis Registered Nurse Hamilton, Ont.
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