Manitoba woman dies while awaiting life-saving heart surgery

The family of a Manitoba woman who tragically passed away while awaiting life-saving heart surgery at St. Boniface hospital is calling for greater transparency from health care authorities.

Last October, the Fewster family was forever changed. While awaiting a triple bypass surgery Debbie Fewster, a devoted mother and grandmother, returned home after spending thanksgiving surrounded by her loved ones, unaware it would be their final evening together. 

“After a thanksgiving dinner with our family, she was gone,’ said Daniel Fewster, son of Debbie Fewster. “My mom passed away before the surgery ever happened and I can’t describe the shock, the anger and the grief, our family has been devastated.”

When originally diagnosed Fewster was told she would have surgery within weeks, but months went by, as they waited for the call.  For Debbie’s children Daniel and Colleen, they question why the health care system did not inform them that they would not be able to perform the surgery in a timely manner. 

“This is the cost of a broken system, when people compete for care, there is consequences,” said Colleen Dyck, daughter of Debbie Fewster. “Now we know we are not alone; many others have lost loved ones not because their conditions were untreatable but because they were on a waitlist.”

“Do no harm is a bedrock principle of the health care system and yet in Debbie’s case and in many other cases across Canada,” said Colin Craig, president of Second Street.

Unfortunately, the Fewster family is far from alone, figures obtained by Second Street highlight a growing issue. 

In Ontario, 115 patients died during the 2023-24 fiscal year, all while awaiting heart surgery. Which is why the policy think-tank is pushing for health authorities to immediately inform patients if they are unable to provide potential life-saving treatment, and to recommend alternative options. 

“If a patient requires surgery in three weeks, and the hospital is booking eight weeks out, then sit down with the patients and let them know that, that they may want to look at other options,” said Craig.

Speaking to media Wednesday, Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said the province is open to looking over the proposed Debbie’s law, and that they are working to boost cardiac services at St. Boniface Hospital.