A death in the emergency department at the Edmundston Regional Hospital after what officials describe as a “tragic event.”
In a news release, the Vitalité Health Network said a person who had been admitted to the emergency department on Sunday lost their life under “unforeseeable and exceptional circumstances.”
The network also confirmed that no employees or members of the medical staff were injured during the incident, and it acknowledged the exemplary work and professionalism of its staff in handling this unfortunate incident.
No further details are being released by the health network due to confidentiality reasons and the delicate nature of the incident.
It adds that an investigation into the incident is underway.
This comes after a major shakeup of health care roles in the province after a death in the emergency department waiting room of Horizon Health Network’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton.
Health minister reacts
New Brunswick’s newly-appointed health minister, Bruce Fitch, told reporters in Saint John on Monday morning that he has been made aware of the situation and called it “a tragic event.”
He did not provide any further details, including what brought the individual to the emergency department, citing the investigation by Vitalité.
“It was a traumatic situation for the staff and for the individual and the family, so my sympathies do go to all those involved,” said Fitch.
When asked about the state of health care in New Brunswick, in light of recent emergency room deaths, Fitch said it is no question that the province’s health care system is in crisis.
“The premier wants to address it, and I know, in working with my colleagues in trying to create that stability, we made some dramatic moves,” he said.
“We want to stabilize and then move towards a long-term sustainable health care for the province.”
With files from Tara Clow and Aaron Sousa.
