An Ontario resident remains deeply troubled a year after discovering her 64-year-old brother deceased in his bed, revealing that a nurse providing home care failed to adhere to procedures. John Ford of Drayton, a small community in Wellington County, passed away on March 26, 2024, with the coroner attributing his death to natural causes. However, Ford’s sister, Bonnie Ford, questions if his death could have been prevented.
The incident unfolded when an Ontario Health at Home nurse, contracted from SE Health, visited Ford’s residence for a scheduled wound dressing change but left without following protocol upon receiving no response from him. The nurse returned the next day and, upon further inability to contact Ford, alerted Bonnie Ford, who then contacted the authorities for a welfare check.
Bonnie Ford expressed uncertainty regarding the timing of her brother’s passing and whether the outcome could have been different, voicing frustration over the lack of transparency from the nursing agency. Despite her inquiries into the home-visit nurses’ protocols and potential oversights, satisfactory responses have been slow in coming.
Over a year later, Bonnie received a letter from SE Health extending condolences for John’s demise and acknowledging an error on the part of the care provider who failed to escalate the missed visit promptly. While the agency admitted to the misstep, it remains uncertain if timely intervention could have altered the outcome. SE Health stated that staff members have since been retrained on procedures in response to the incident.
Bonnie has lodged complaints with Ontario’s patient ombudsman and the College of Nurses of Ontario, seeking accountability for the lapses in care that may have contributed to her brother’s passing. She emphasized the need for healthcare providers to communicate effectively and adhere to established protocols to prevent similar tragedies. SE Health declined to comment specifically on the Ford case but affirmed adherence to clear protocols and contractual obligations for patient visits.
The family continues to seek answers and resolution as they navigate the aftermath of John Ford’s untimely death, underscoring the importance of accountability and transparency in healthcare provision.