Inquest into ER death to look at hospital backlogs, touch on aboriginal issues: judge

WINNIPEG – An inquest into the death of a man in a Winnipeg emergency room will now focus primarily on hospital overcrowding and delays.

Judge Tim Preston told the inquest into the death of Brian Sinclair he expects to hear from about a dozen witnesses as the inquest moves into its next phase.

Preston says most of the witnesses should discuss how to improve patient flow in ERs and reduce long waits for care.

He says he would like to hear one witness talk about how to improve service for aboriginal patients but warned this is an inquest — not an inquiry.

Sinclair’s family and other aboriginal organizations had hoped the inquest would delve more deeply into the systemic issues facing native people in the health-care system.

Sinclair died in a Winnipeg ER in 2008 during a 34-hour wait for care.