The fact that Amélie Champagne had Lyme disease or not when she committed suicide does not change the findings and recommendations of the public inquiry, believes the coroner, Me Julie-Kim Godin, in her report published Wednesday.
“I will not comment on the quality of the diagnoses made, the tests prescribed and the interpretation that was made of them,” warns the coroner in conclusion of her report of around sixty pages.
“This investigation was not intended to determine whether Mr.me Champagne had Lyme disease, a chronic form of the disease or a co-infection such as human babesiosis. This question is purely scientific and goes well beyond my mandate.
Montrealer Amélie Champagne “died from multiple blunt force trauma following a fall into a void,” the investigation report soberly summarizes.
The 22-year-old woman had suffered for years from multiple symptoms similar to those of Lyme disease and “seemed convinced that no one could help her,” recalls Me Godin.
“Amélie […] “She actively sought help, but the system left her to face her distress alone. This refusal to intervene, despite her calls for help, had tragic consequences,” commented her father, Alain Champagne, on behalf of the family.
“It is imperative that concrete measures are taken to ensure that no more patients are neglected, and that the necessary care is provided without delay and without discrimination,” Champagne stressed in a written statement.
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Alain Champagne and Joanne Bossé, parents of Amélie Champagne.
Lyme disease is also at the heart of several of the 19 recommendations that the coroner is addressing to the health system, including these first three, which target the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
The ministry is particularly requested to “develop effective care pathways” for “users with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of Lyme disease (including co-infections or persistent symptoms)”. Me Godin also recommends broadening “the mandate and admission criteria to the network of specialized clinics.”
PHOTO TAKEN FROM ALAIN CHAMPAGNE’S LINKEDIN ACCOUNT
Amélie Champagne
The family said they were “particularly touched by the importance given to the humanization of care, to dignity and to kindness towards patients in distress” in the coroner’s recommendations, and expressed their “deep gratitude” to her.
The College of Physicians of Quebec, the Federation of General Practitioners of Quebec, the Association of Microbiologists and Infectious Disease Specialists of Quebec and the Association of Psychiatrists of Quebec are also the subject of recommendations. Two CIUSSS (Integrated University Health and Social Services Centres) including Mme Champagne used the services, that of the West Island of Montreal and that of the Eastern Townships-CHUS, are also targeted.
The death of Amélie Champagne, which occurred on September 11, 2022, was the subject of a very detailed public inquiry in December 2023 and January 2024.