Ontario purple whose teenage son died after 8 hours of waiting in ER calls to reform the law
A tragic incident in Ontario has sparked a call to action from a grieving family who lost their teenage son due to long waiting times in the hospital. Finlay, a 16-year-old boy, passed away after waiting for over eight hours to see a doctor at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.
GJ and Hazel van der Werken, Finlay’s parents, have decided to speak out and take legal action against the hospital. They believe that there should be legislation in place to set maximum waiting times for children in emergency rooms. The family is advocating for what they have termed as “Finlay’s Law”, which would not only establish waiting time limits but also ensure safe personnel ratios and better financing for pediatric emergency care.
The heartbreaking loss of their son has left the van der Werkens with a deep sense of distrust and fear towards the healthcare system. They are determined to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families by pushing for legislative changes.
The Ontario Health Ministry has acknowledged the tragic nature of Finlay’s case and has expressed their commitment to ensuring the highest standard of patient care in all hospitals. They have emphasized the importance of learning from critical incidents and taking necessary actions to prevent them from occurring again.
The van der Werkens have launched a petition urging the Government of Ontario to implement Finlay’s Law. They believe that children, with their unique medical needs, require specialized care and attention. Without enforceable standards in place, they remain at risk in an overburdened healthcare system.
The family’s plea for change is a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address issues within the healthcare system that put vulnerable patients at risk. Their advocacy serves as a powerful call to action for policymakers and healthcare providers to prioritize patient safety and well-being above all else.
