WINNIPEG – On Friday, Manitoba’s health minister said it would be mandatory for cab drivers to ensure people discharged from hospital make it to their homes.
It was a change that blindsided the taxi industry.
“I just feel sorry for whatever happened, but instead of blaming cab companies or anyone else, there should be a better solution,” said Kuljit Gill, the president of Unicity Taxi.
But now Erin Selby is taking a step back.
“No one is expecting cab drivers to make medical decisions,” Selby said Monday. “It is up to doctors to determine whether or not someone is safe and healthy to go home.”
Two Winnipeg men died recently after they were discharged from Grace Hospital and sent home in cabs. Neither made it through their doors.
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority guidelines state extra caution should be used when a patient being discharged is vulnerable and has no additional support at home.
“Part of what the critical incident review will look at is whether or not those safe discharge guidelines were followed and whether we need to strengthen them,” Selby told reporters Monday.
She said cab drivers will have to keep an eye on patients once they leave the taxi, but the province isn’t considering any penalties for drivers at this point.
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