Two men die outside after being sent home from hospital in taxis

Correction: An earlier version of the story included incorrect information about which hospital discharged a woman who died in 2012.

WINNIPEG – Taxi drivers will be made responsible for making sure patients discharged from hospital and sent home in cabs make it inside their homes, says Manitoba’s health minister.

That’s the province’s response to the disturbingly similar deaths of two Winnipeg hospital patients.

Both men were found dead outdoors after being discharged from Grace Hospital and sent home in taxis in temperatures below -35 C, in separate incidents late last month.

78-year-old David Silver was found dead on his doorstep after being discharged by staff at Grace Hospital and sent home in a taxi in the early morning hours of New Years Eve. Silver’s cousin, Jack Lichtman, tells Global News the elderly man wasn’t discovered until 4 p.m. that day by a caregiver.

There was a similar incident two days before Silver’s death. A man was discharged from the Grace and also dropped off by a taxi and was found dead by a passerby on the sidewalk outside his home on Arlington Street.

“We do send our patients home at any time,” WRHA CEO Arlene Wilgosh told reporters at a news conference Friday, adding officials are reviewing the policy for sending patients home during the winter months.

Manitoba’s health minister later announced the new policy making cab drivers responsible for the safe arrival of hospital patients at home.

“Clearly there were gaps and we need to address that, and that’s what we are doing today,” Erin Selby said. “We are making sure anyone who is sent home by taxi cab, gets through the front door safely.”

Officials say both men died of existing health issues, not exposure to the cold.

Health officials insist the safety of patients discharged is a top priority.

“Mr. Silver arrived at our facility dressed in enclosed footwear, socks, pants and a substantial hooded winter parka,” WRHA CEO Arlene Wilgosh told reporters Friday. “Mr. Silver went home in that same attire.”

Critics pointed out the recent cases are similar to what happened to a woman discharged from the Seven Oaks General Hospital in Winnipeg two years ago, who died shortly after.

“The health minister should have learned from what happened to Heather Brenan two years ago.

Better precautions are clearly needed to ensure vulnerable citizens who are discharged from hospital make it home safely and are followed up on.

This direction needs to come from the top and this minister has lost control of her portfolio,” said Health Critic Myrna Driedger.