Police, hospital investigate death

Cape Breton Regional Police are continuing their investigation into the death of man found last week on the grounds of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney.

Police spokesperson Desiree Vassallo said police were asked to investigate by the provincial medical examiner’s office after the body was discovered around 4 a.m. on Feb. 23.

“While no foul play is suspected, we are working with the medical examiner’s office to help determine the exact cause of death,” said Vassallo.

The man was an in-patient at the hospital and was believed to have been awaiting a transfer to a long-term care facility.

Police and Nova Scotia Health Authority officials have not released the name of the individual, citing privacy concerns.

Greg Boone, spokesperson for the authority, said Monday the authority is co-operating in the investigation of an unexpected death.

In addition, he said, officials have undertaken a quality review — an internal review — of the patient’s care while at the facility.

He said the health authority’s first priority is to get answers for the man’s family. He said the results of a quality review will be shared with the family but a decision will be made later whether the results will be released publicly.

Boone said such reviews do not have any timeframes specifically attached so he could not offer a date when the review could be completed.

Last year, another patient walked away from the hospital and was later fatally struck by a vehicle on a nearby four-lane divided highway.

Boone said he was uncertain Monday whether the internal review of that case had been completed.