‘Sudden’ death of toddler
Provincial coroner probing death in Ajax hospital
Ontario’s chief coroner said it is investigating the “sudden and unexpected death” of a two-year-old Tuesday at Lakeridge Health Ajax Pickering Hospital.
The Office of the Chief Coroner said it is unable to provide further information about the investigation. Few details about the child’s death are available, though unconfirmed reports circulating on social media allege a two-year-old died in a hallway at the Ajax hospital.
Lakeridge Health’s manager of public relations said Thursday the hospital is unable to comment due to patient privacy.
“However, speculation in the absence of facts can be damaging, particularly to families and staff,” it said.
“Lakeridge Health remains proud of the collaborative efforts and incredible dedication of the skilled professionals in our organization and community who support the very best, person-centred care every day.”
In a news conference Thursday, Health Minister Sylvia Jones said she “cannot imagine how challenging this must be for the caregivers, the family of that patient.”
“I will let the investigation and the hospital do the work they need to do to communicate with that family. I don’t think any of us can comprehend how deeply saddened we are when we hear about the death of a young patient in Ontario.”
The news comes as the province is facing criticism for long wait times in pediatric hospitals leading to cancelled or postponed surgeries amid a flurry of respiratory virus infections like RSV, COVID and influenza.
Most recently, Children’s Hospital Eastern Ontario called in the Red Cross to help with staffing, with the chief nursing executive telling the Star its physicians and nurses are “stretched to the max.”