Warman family worried about SHA accountability after serious wildlife collision

Editor’s note: WARNING — Some of the images contained in this story are graphic. We have agreed not to use the family’s last name.

A Warman family isn’t happy with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

Last Wednesday morning, when Gregory was heading to work, his vehicle collided with a deer on Highway 305 between Warman and Martensville. The collision left him with serious facial injuries, but if it wasn’t for a police officer and a text from him after he regained consciousness, his wife Brooklyn may have never known.

Brooklyn explained just what happened on the road, something she said makes her feel lucky that he’s still alive.

“A lady coming the opposite direction hit a deer first, and that deer flew up into Greg’s windshield. (It) came through his car (and) it landed in the passenger seat,” she told 650 CKOM on Wednesday. “We think (the deer) must have just hit him right in the face.”

After the collision, Gregory was STARS airlifted to Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital (RUH). There, he had a CT scan to check on his brain and spine, which checked out well, according to his wife.

What didn’t check out well were the broken bones within his face.

He suffered multiple facial fractures, including broken orbital and maxillary bones.

“He’s really lucky (to) be alive,” Brooklyn said.

Gregory was in surgery at Saskatoon’s St. Paul’s Hospital during the time of his wife’s interview with 650 CKOM.

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Issues arise with lack of SHA communication, visitor restrictions

Brooklyn said she went into Saskatoon to RUH after getting word on what had happened to her husband on Highway 305.

But she wasn’t allowed into the emergency department.

“I didn’t know I wasn’t allowed in that day … because for the last while, no outside visitors are allowed into (the department), but they were allowing two visitors into the rest of the hospital,” she said.

“They wouldn’t let me in, but I put my name down on a list there to get phone calls. I was never called. I called in, and I left my name in again. I was never called. Nobody, basically, ever called me from the hospital.”

Brooklyn said if it wasn’t for a family member’s connection to the hospital, she wouldn’t have been able to know how Gregory was doing or get any updates on his condition.

“I didn’t know if he was conscious, I didn’t know anything about his fate at that point. I was calling, trying to get answers — all they could tell me is, ‘He’s stable,’ ” she said. “When this happens, you’re kind of assuming the worst.”

When Gregory was moved to St. Paul’s Hospital, he was allowed visitors, but Brooklyn kept leaving her name and number for staff, looking to have updates on his condition. Still, those updates never came.

That has raised a huge concern for Brooklyn, particularly focused on other patients who may not have the luxuries her family did.

“My concern is when you cut off all visitors completely, (that patients) will be neglected,” she explained.

“One thing I found when we were allowed in there to visit, I was basically taking care of my husband myself. He wouldn’t have been showered (or) he wouldn’t have been cleaned if I was not there. There were two days this week where he was not put on the food schedule, and he would not have been fed …

“My husband is the type of guy that he doesn’t want to bother people … I know there’s a lot of people in that hospital that aren’t as lucky as him.”

Additional restrictions at Saskatoon’s hospitals have since been enacted as well. Brooklyn had to come into the hospital shortly before those restrictions of no visitors came into effect Wednesday at 8 a.m., prior to Gregory’s surgery.

She said she ended up being “kicked out,” but was able to communicate with the surgeon through a written list of questions, followed by the answers texted back from Gregory’s phone.

When asked what she thinks needs to change, Brooklyn said she understands the complexities of COVID-19 and dealing with it in a hospital setting, but she has some ideas.

“I think there should be at least one family member allowed to visit, and maybe if it means staggering visits because of COVID … maybe they have to stagger it,” she said. “I do think there has to be some outside people able to look into the hospital when it’s a public health-care system. Otherwise, there’s zero accountability on their part.”

If all goes well, Brooklyn said Gregory would be able to return home following his plastic surgery Wednesday, and she explained the relief she’ll have once he finally returns home.

“Thank the heavens,” she said. “It’s going to be the best feeling in the world. I cannot wait for the moment that he can walk back in our door, and we don’t have to worry about dealing with the hospitals or the health-care system, day to day.

“We are disappointed with the health-care system … Now that they’re cutting off visitors completely, that maybe these situations would never be open into the public … We (need) a system in place that is protecting those that are vulnerable inside.”

The SHA told 650 CKOM it is not able to speak to any specific patient cases due to patient privacy.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s The Brent Loucks Show