Home / Health / Indigenous Woman's Death Sparks Calls for Inquest
Indigenous Woman's Death Sparks Calls for Inquest
13 Dec
Summary
- Indigenous woman died from Strep A infection in hospital.
- Family alleges systemic racism and bias contributed to death.
- Coroner's inquest into the death is still pending a date.
Four years after Heather Winterstein, a 24-year-old Indigenous woman, died from a Strep A blood infection, her family continues to seek justice and answers. Winterstein initially sought care for a severe backache but was sent home, only to collapse the following day and pass away shortly after. Her family attributes her death to systemic racism and biases within the healthcare system, believing her care was inadequate.
Niagara Health, which operates the hospital, has acknowledged the tragedy and the broader concerns about racism in healthcare. A third-party review conducted in 2022 found that Winterstein was discharged despite abnormal vital signs and that her diagnosis was misattributed to social issues. The review also noted unconscious bias may have played a role due to assumptions about addiction and homelessness.
While Niagara Health has accepted the review's recommendations and committed to ongoing improvements, a definitive date for the coroner's inquest remains unset. The inquest aims to examine the circumstances of Winterstein's death and provide recommendations. Her family hopes the inquest will lead to lasting, impactful change in Indigenous healthcare, disrupting anti-Indigenous racism and ensuring equitable care.
