(Quebec) The widow of Normand Meunier, this man who received medical assistance in dying after developing bed sores at the Saint-Jérôme hospital, is calling for an independent investigation into the death of her husband. The opposition is also demanding an official apology from the government.
“I am very emotional, I hope that everything that Normand suffered will not be in vain,” expressed Sylvie Brosseau who visited the National Assembly on Wednesday.
“I want to continue the fight because I call it a fight. Because it is certain that there are other people who are very unwell in hospitals currently and who are not receiving the right care. We have to take care of it. We have to take this seriously. You have to take the time. We have to listen to them,” she pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Normand Meunier, 66, received medical assistance in dying on March 29 after developing a major pressure sore on his buttocks during a stay at Saint-Jérôme hospital. The man, who has been paralyzed in his arms and legs since 2022, would have spent 96 hours on a stretcher not adapted to his condition, according to Radio-Canada, which revealed Mr. Meunier’s story in April. He was hospitalized due to a respiratory virus.
The CISSS des Laurentides opened an internal investigation to shed light on the events; the Minister of Health described the situation as “unacceptable”.
However, this is insufficient in the eyes of those close to Mr. Meunier. Sylvie Brosseau was accompanied on Wednesday by the Spinal Cord and Motricity Quebec organization and MPs Elisabeth Prass (Liberal Party of Quebec), Vincent Marissal (Québec solidaire) and Joël Arseneau (Parti québécois). They demand in unison that Quebec launch an independent investigation.
“We are not satisfied with the investigation which was launched because it was triggered by the CISSS des Laurentides, which is at the root of the fiasco in question,” lamented Mr. Marissal, adding that the government of Quebec should present an official apology to Mme Brousseau. “Honestly, today I am ashamed […] medical assistance in dying has never been for [une solution] because there is no care,” he said.
His colleague from the Parti Québécois goes further: “The best way to translate these apologies in a concrete way is by choosing to investigate the circumstances which led to the death of Mr. Meunier and, more generally , on the care to which people living with a disability are entitled in Quebec in 2024, in particular,” lamented Mr. Arseneau.
Mr. Marissal recalled that health establishments have “protocols” to trigger independent investigations. The exercise could also be carried out by the Coroner’s Office.
“If there had been mattresses suitable for emergencies, as in other medical institutions, if there had been professionals who would have moved Mr. Meunier. This is a situation that could have been avoided,” lamented Elisabeth Prass. “It’s a question of putting protocols in place, of ensuring that organizational mistreatment is resolved through training,” she argued.
On Wednesday, Christian Dubé indicated that he would examine the situation again. “Let me look at that, but I will do everything possible to ensure that there is an appropriate investigation,” he said upon leaving the Council of Ministers. Mme Brosseau also deplored not having received any calls from members of the government. “If this lady wants me to speak to her, I will certainly do so,” replied Mr. Dubé.
Report of the complaints commissioner
Sylvie Brosseau revealed Wednesday that she had received a “damning report” from the complaints commissioner of the CISSS des Laurentides. She did not wish to make it public due to the possibility of legal action. However, this report cannot replace an independent investigation, it was indicated.
“We want something that is deeper, broader,” explained the director of Spinal Cord and Motricity Quebec. ” Is it a problem [systémique] ? Is this an organizational question? “, he added, affirming that 90% of its members “no longer want to go to the emergency room despite their problems” under the pretext that they fear receiving poor care.