External Review Process to Investigate St. Paul’s Hospital Patient Case
Vancouver, February 24, 2012 — Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and Providence Health Care (PHC) will initiate an external independent review of the case of a St. Paul’s Hospital patient who allegedly committed a violent crime after being discharged on February 21.
VCH and PHC expect the process to be led by a panel of reviewers, which could include external mental health and emergency care clinicians and researchers.
The review will focus on circumstances surrounding the patient’s care, stay and discharge processes at St. Paul’s. It will look at the details and protocols of care provision in the emergency department, the patient admission process into the hospital’s mental health program, and the prior history of care.
“We recognize the urgent need to address concerns raised by our community and law enforcement partners regarding this case,” said Dianne Doyle, President & CEO of Providence Health Care, the operator of St. Paul’s Hospital.
“St. Paul’s has a century-long tradition of taking care of the most vulnerable populations in British Columbia and our highest priority is the health and safety of our patients and our communities. I look forward to the findings of this review and to working with Vancouver Coastal Health to continue to strengthen the delivery of compassionate person-centered care.”
VCH and PHC expect the review to be completed in a timely manner, and carried out in a way that allows it and any recommendations to be released publicly without compromising patient privacy.
“We will be working closely with the Ministry of Health, Vancouver Coastal Health and our community partners to ensure we have timely and accountable follow up to the review’s findings,” said Doyle.
VCH and PHC will announce the names of the reviewers once the selection and appointment process is completed.
For information, please contact:
Dave Lefebvre
Providence Health Care
dlefebvre@providencehealth.bc.ca
Tel. 604-837-6003
Anna Marie D’Angelo
Vancouver Coastal Health
annamarie.dangelo@vch.ca
Tel: 604-708-5340
