UPDATE: Statement Regarding Patient Death at Royal University Hospital
This statement is being issued on behalf of the Saskatchewan Health Authority as an update regarding an incident resulting in a patient death at Royal University Hospital.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) extends our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Trevor Dubois. We recognize the profound grief and deep loss experienced by his family, friends and community.
The SHA takes the circumstances surrounding Mr. Dubois’ death at Royal University Hospital extremely seriously. We remain committed to accountability and to ensuring a safe care environment for patients, visitors and staff in all SHA facilities. We recognize that Mr. Dubois’ family and loved ones have important questions and are seeking answers, and we will remain engaged with the Saskatoon Tribal Council and with the family to provide support and to respond to questions as information becomes available through the investigative processes.
The incident remains under active investigation by the Saskatoon Police Service and the Saskatchewan Coroners Service, and we are fully cooperating with these investigations. Internally, the SHA has deemed this a Critical Incident, which initiates a legislated process for review and reporting, including a formal internal review. In any situation where force is used by Protective Services Officers, a use-of-force review is also initiated. To support impartiality, the SHA is engaging a third-party contractor to conduct this review. Immediately following the incident, the SHA suspended the Protective Services Officer involved in the altercation, who is an employee of the SHA, pending the outcome of this review and a related labour relations investigation.
At this time, and out of respect for the investigative processes and those involved, we are not able to provide further details related to the circumstances of the incident. We remain committed to providing updates when appropriate.
The SHA’s priority remains ensuring hospitals are safe and secure for patients, visitors and staff. In the coming days, the SHA will share additional information on further actions being advanced in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to strengthen safety and security in hospitals, as we respond to the increasing complexity and volume of situations requiring intervention by Protective Services.
View the SHA’s initial release from Friday, January 9 regarding this incident.
