Ottawa appoints investigators to lead review of men switched at birth in Manitoba

Health Canada minister names people who will lead review of how men were switched at birth in Manitoba hospital.

APTN National News
Health Canada Minister Jane Philpott has named two people to lead an investigation into how four men were switched at birth, in separate incidents, at the Norway House First Nation hospital in Manitoba.

In a statement from the department, Health Canada said that Dr. David Creery and Ms. Maura Davies will lead the review.

“The review team will conduct a thorough examination of available hospital records and will contact key individuals who were involved at that time. This review is intended to clarify the circumstances of the known cases,” said Philpott in the statement.

The issue is over four men who were switched at birth at the hospital in Norway House First Nation, 800 km north of Winnipeg.

The men are Luke Monias and Norman Barker and, Leon Swanson and David Tait.

Swanson and Tait were born three days apart at the hospital.

Both took DNA tests to confirm their identity.

“I really don’t have words to say but just kinda confused I guess, upset. This definitely never should’ve happened,” said Tait at a news conference in August.

Creery is a pediatric intensive care physician in Ottawa and the medical director of patient safety at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).

Davies is the former president and CEO of the Saskatoon Health Region and has experience in delivery of health services and patient safety, according to the release.

Philpott had what was described as emotional meeting with some men switched at birth on Monday. She said she heard firsthand about the impact the discovery has had on their lives.

— with files from The Canadian Press

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