• “Debbie’s Law” could help patients – it would require health authorities to inform patients if the system can’t provide life-saving surgery within the recommended time

WINNIPEG, MB – Think tank SecondStreet.org held a press conference in Winnipeg today with the family of Debbie Fewster, a mother of three and grandmother of ten who died while waiting for heart surgery. Fewster had been told she required surgery within “three weeks” but had to wait over two months for treatment before passing away – never getting a date for surgery.

Fewster’s family and SecondStreet.org proposed Debbie’s Law as a solution that could help – it would require health care authorities to inform patients when they cannot provide life-saving treatment within the recommended period.

“Had we known my mother wasn’t going to receive the surgery in time, we would have done everything we could – remortgaging our homes if necessary – to get her the care she needed outside the province,” said Debbie’s son, Daniel Fewster. “But we weren’t given that option. We were just told to wait.”

Research shows Debbie’s case is not unique. Data obtained from Ontario Health revealed that 115 patients died while waiting for heart surgery in 2023-24 – of those, 41 patients waited longer than the maximum recommended wait time. Nova Scotia reported 50 patients died waiting for potentially life-saving treatment in 2022-23, with 19 of the patients waiting beyond medically recommended limits. While this tragedy takes place in every province in Canada, few sufficiently track the data, including Manitoba.

“This isn’t about politics. It’s about honesty and transparency for patients and their families,” said Harrison Fleming, Legislative and Policy Director at SecondStreet.org. “This is a law that isn’t ideological; all parties should be able to get behind it.” 

“Governments already require automakers and food companies to warn the public when their products pose a health risk,” added SecondStreet.org President Colin Craig. “Governments should have to meet the same standard and tell patients when long wait times pose a risk.”

To view an in-depth report on Debbie’s Law ‒ click here.