EDMONTON — Alberta’s public interest commissioner has found what he calls “serious lapses” in medical care at a provincial correctional centre.

Kevin Brezinski’s investigation, responding to a whistleblower, says Alberta Correctional Health Services failed in five cases to provide adequate medical care at the Edmonton Remand Centre. 

In two of those cases, the patients died, while the other three were hospitalized.

A nursing consultant who reviewed patient records concludes the agency provided poor pain management, inadequate help with drug withdrawal and didn’t monitor or record vital signs adequately.

Brezinski says Alberta Correctional Health Services has responded to his concerns and he’s satisfied with the changes.

The public interest commissioner is an agent of the Alberta legislature to whom public-sector employees or members of the public can bring concerns about government officials.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Oct. 25, 2023. 

The Canadian Press