Donna Winstone, who was entitled to family visits at Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, was denied them after being transferred to Seven Oaks Hospital.
Hospitalized for COVID-19, the patient with dementia was alone after his transfer.
Mr. Winstone explained that his wife not only needs ongoing care because of her illness, but she is also the person she looks for when she is distressed.
The care he gives her as well as her vaccination status have convinced the hospital management Grace grant exemption to Don Winstone, to visit his wife.
At the time, he needed someone to feed him, he needed two people to get in and out of bed, added the couple’s son Brent Winstone. And then he couldn’t talk.
Brent Winstone wants the Seven Oaks leadership to show the same compassion as their Grace counterparts.
” They have the power to grant exemptions, as the hospital did Gracebut they chose not to. “
There are no exemptions to Seven Oaksalthough Donna’s health improved.
Ten days of separation
According to Shared Health Manitoba, the standard protocol in Manitoba health care facilities is to deny personal visits from patients who have, or are suspected of having, COVID-19.
After the outbreak in Donna Winston’s care unit at her new hospital, no patients received visits
According to Brent Winstone, the Seven Oaks leadership offered to take his mother home. The son refused, as he did not see it possible to arrange for the continuation of home care in one day.
That is why Donna received no visitors during her ten days of mandatory isolation.
Our best hope is that my mom doesn’t fully understand what’s going on right now and at least sometimes she doesn’t get angry.explanation by Brent Winstone.
” I encourage anyone in a similar situation to challenge the system. Sometimes it does not work for the good of the patient. “
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority declined to comment on the family’s specific case, citing privacy concerns.
However, the Office insisted on that Client relationships and care teams work closely with the family to discuss a care plan and communicate with the patient..
With information from Ian Froese
Radio Canada
Source: Radio-Canada
