Manitoba premier won't fire health minister

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said his government takes full responsibility for the tragic death of Brian Sinclair at the Health Sciences Centre last fall.

However, he will not fire Health Minister Theresa Oswald because of the scandal, Doer told reporters Tuesday.

"We have apologized. We have taken responsibility and certainly the minister of health and I have said the same thing, that this is a preventable death. It's a tragedy," Doer said. "He should have not have died. Brian Sinclair should not have died."

'He should have not have died. Brian Sinclair should not have died.' Gary Doer, Manitoba premier

Sinclair, a 45-year-old double amputee with a speech problem, was found dead in his wheelchair after spending 34 hours in the emergency department waiting room of the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre last September.

An autopsy later determined he died as a result of a blood infection brought on by complications of a bladder infection caused by a blocked catheter. His death could have been prevented if the blood infection had been treated, Manitoba's Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Thambirajah Balachandra, said within days of the Sinclair's death.

Inquest will be held

Last week, Balachandra announced there would be an inquest into the death.

The leader of the Opposition in the Manitoba legislature, Hugh McFadyen, has called for Oswald to resign. McFadyen has said Oswald has misled the public and the legislature about the case.

But Doer said on Tuesday that his statements and that of the health minister have been consistent since Sinclair's death was revealed last September.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is also standing by its embattled senior executives, chief medical officer Dr. Brock Wright and president and CEO Dr. Brian Postl.

The two men have come under fire for their handling of the case, but on Tuesday, the WRHA board of director said it had utmost confidence in the two doctors and said they will not be fired.