The Saskatchewan NDP are demanding an investigation into the death of a Saskatoon woman who died after her surgery was delayed. The Official Opposition issued a statement Friday, saying that after meeting with Kirsten Hanke’s family, the party is calling for a full investigation into her death. Hanke fell while retrieving a package off her front step on Aug. 12, breaking her ankle in three places. She was scheduled for surgery three days later at Royal University Hospital. However, according to the NDP, when Hanke arrived there was no record of the scheduled procedure. After several hours of waiting, she was sent home due to no beds being available. She died five days later after collapsing at home. Hanke’s family was told Kirsten died from blood clots that moved from her ankle to her lungs, according to the NDP. “Today, I’m calling on the Minister of Health to conduct a full investigation into the death of Kirsten Hanke,” said NDP Leader Carla Beck. “This family deserves answers, and they deserve to know that no other family will have to suffer this way. The Hanke family has been robbed of a lifetime of memories with their loved one because our healthcare system is crumbling all around us.” Jeremy Cockrill, Saskatchewan’s Health Minister, issued a statement Friday afternoon, extending his condolences to Hanke’s family. “The safety of patients continues to be our government’s focus and while I cannot comment on the specifics of the case due to privacy legislation and patient confidentiality, I expect the SHA to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding this incident and take any appropriate action identified through the review process to support the delivery of safe, high-quality care for Saskatchewan patients and families,” his statement read.
