Iqaluit undertaker calls for new morgue outside hospital
18.07.2008 20:01
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
A growing population in Iqaluit means that morgue facilities need to be expanded outside the hospital, local undertaker Bryan Pearson says. Pearson, who has been the city's undertaker for the past 15 years, said the city should consider setting up a separate mortuary for those who die outside the Qikiqtani General Hospital. "There's a need for a facility, and I've suggested to the city that it become an adjunct to the ambulance service, and that they acquire some refrigeration units, and they determine a location," Pearson told CBC News in an interview. "Use it for people that die by accident, drown or whatever, so there is not a burden on the hospital." The bodies of patients who die at Qikiqtani General are stored at the hospital's morgue. Pearson said problems arise for hospital staff when the bodies of those who die outside the hospital are brought there. "When they've got upset and sometimes irate family members insisting that they be allowed to visit their loved ones in the morgue, [it] requires a fair amount of work on the part of the security people, and the part of the staff to go down and make the place available," he said, adding that it becomes difficult when families come in at all hours. Pearson said the City of Iqaluit could ask Nunavut's Health Department to turn over the use of the morgue in the old Baffin Regional Hospital to the city. Iqaluit Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik said the issue would require council to meet with all involved parties, including the coroner's office and the Health Department. "It was pretty clear from council that, yeah, pull in the groups and let's all get together," Sheutiapik said. "It's only through discussion that we'll find solutions, and that has not been done. And I think that's the first step." Sheutiapik said the families of the deceased bear the brunt of the city's morgue problem, and she would like to find a solution to it. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKHealth HeadlinesCanadian researchers discover ovulation geneCanadian and European researchers have discovered the gene that regulates ovulation.Clinton announces anti-malaria drug dealFormer U.S. president Bill Clinton says a price-cutting deal has been reached with some of the world's leading manufacturers of anti-malaria drugs. Protein test better than cholesterol test in predicting heart attacks: studyMeasuring the ratio of two forms of proteins in the blood is superior to cholesterol testing as a means of predicting heart attack risk and should become part of standard practice by doctors, researchers say. Traditional Chinese doctors fight federal regulation under Bill C-51Doctors of Chinese Medicine across Canada have joined forces to fight the federal government's controversial Bill C-51, a proposed law that critics say will make many natural health products unavailable, including Chinese herbs.Counterfeit Oral-B toothbrushes recalled for choking hazardHealth Canada on Friday issued a recall of counterfeit Oral-B Classic 40 Medium toothbrushes because they may pose a choking hazard. Health FeaturesBIRTH CONTROLThird World woesMillions need help, advocates sayHEALTH & FITNESSExercise and heatRisky business?HEALTHLife spanLongevity secrets from around the worldVIDEOYour heartCan depression lead to heart disease? (3:29)HEALTH & FITNESSPeter HadzipetrosBreaking up's not that hard to doPeople who read this also read …
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