Horizon Health won't discuss 5-week-old girl's death in Miramichi
Hospital official says complaints prompt reviews or referrals to N.B. College of Physicians and Surgeons
Horizon Health, the health
authority overseeing the Miramichi Regional Hospital, has declined to
comment on the case of Blayke Hay-McAllister, a five-week-old girl who
died at home in Miramichi with respiratory syncytial virus.
Tessa McAllister, Blayke's mother, said she had tried through her family doctor to get her baby into the hospital because the virus, known as RSV, left her struggling to breathe.
But when the doctor called Miramichi Regional on Feb. 1 about having Blayke admitted, he was told the hospital was over capacity, and the emergency department was full of flu patients, McAllister said.
McAllister said the doctor, Jeffrey Hans, made an appointment for her daughter for the following morning at his office.
She said she trusted her daughter would make it through the night — but she didn't.
In an email Tuesday, Horizon Health shared a statement by hospital executive director Marilyn Underhill.
Tessa
McAllister and Cody Hay believe their daughter Blayke could have been
saved had she been admitted to the Miramichi Regional Hospital. (Gabrielle Fahmy/CBC)
In
it, Underhill said she cannot comment on specific cases because of
privacy but added: "When a complaint is received regarding hospital
services, a review is conducted to identify if there are opportunities
for improvement. If a complaint involves a private physician practice
the complaint is referred to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of
NB."
Hans, the family doctor, has declined to be interviewed by CBC, citing patient privacy.
McAllister met with Underhill last week, one month after Blayke died. She said she left the meeting unsatisfied.
"They just said that they were sorry for the passing of Blayke," the mother said. "They didn't commit to anything. They agreed there needed to be changes.
"All they did was shake their head. And say 'we're so sorry.' I'm sorry too, but that doesn't bring Blayke back."
McAllister is awaiting autopsy results for the exact cause of death. She said she will continue to seek answers to the questions surrounding her daughter's case.
In the meeting with hospital officials, McAllister was told an infant under two months who has tested positive for RSV should have been admitted, since that is a serious diagnosis.
Officials at the Miramichi hospital said it would always provide a bed for a patient needing one, even when over capacity. (CBC)
The
hospital has also said it will always make room for a patient admitted
through the emergency department or a physician's office — leaving
McAllister without an answer as to why her baby wasn't.
"Somebody screwed up and I need help to get to the bottom of this," she said.
"[Because] Blayke deserves it. I won't be at peace and I ain't gonna stop fighting."
Do you have information related to this story to share? Please send an email to nbinvestigates@cbc.ca
Tessa McAllister, Blayke's mother, said she had tried through her family doctor to get her baby into the hospital because the virus, known as RSV, left her struggling to breathe.
But when the doctor called Miramichi Regional on Feb. 1 about having Blayke admitted, he was told the hospital was over capacity, and the emergency department was full of flu patients, McAllister said.
- 5-week-old girl dies at home in mother's arms while hospital over capacity
- Baby needed more care than Miramichi hospital provided, says mom
McAllister said the doctor, Jeffrey Hans, made an appointment for her daughter for the following morning at his office.
She said she trusted her daughter would make it through the night — but she didn't.
In an email Tuesday, Horizon Health shared a statement by hospital executive director Marilyn Underhill.
Hans, the family doctor, has declined to be interviewed by CBC, citing patient privacy.
McAllister met with Underhill last week, one month after Blayke died. She said she left the meeting unsatisfied.
"They just said that they were sorry for the passing of Blayke," the mother said. "They didn't commit to anything. They agreed there needed to be changes.
"All they did was shake their head. And say 'we're so sorry.' I'm sorry too, but that doesn't bring Blayke back."
Vows to continue seeking answers
McAllister is awaiting autopsy results for the exact cause of death. She said she will continue to seek answers to the questions surrounding her daughter's case.
In the meeting with hospital officials, McAllister was told an infant under two months who has tested positive for RSV should have been admitted, since that is a serious diagnosis.
"Somebody screwed up and I need help to get to the bottom of this," she said.
"[Because] Blayke deserves it. I won't be at peace and I ain't gonna stop fighting."
Do you have information related to this story to share? Please send an email to nbinvestigates@cbc.ca
With files from Gabrielle Fahmy
I was sickened to see way too many political comments and not enough showing any sort of empathy towards the worst nightmare a parent could have
47 Comments
David Amos
My heart aches for Tessa McAllister, Cody Hay and their beautiful daughter Blayke.
I also very much respect and agree with the following words.
The hospital has also said it will always make room for a patient admitted through the emergency department or a physician's office — leaving McAllister without an answer as to why her baby wasn't.
"Somebody screwed up and I need help to get to the bottom of this," she said.
"[Because] Blayke deserves it. I won't be at peace and I ain't gonna stop fighting."
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