Nova Scotia Health is conducting an investigation into the emergency room death of a 37-year-old mother of three in Amherst.
Allison Holthoff went to the Cumberland Regional Health Centre on New Year’s Eve.
Her husband, Gunter Holthoff told reporters on Monday she had collapsed in extreme pain after complaining of an upset stomach around 11 a.m. on December 31.
He took her into the hospital and revealed they waited more than six hours in the emergency department and after being moved from the waiting area to another room, it was another hour before she saw a doctor and received pain medication.
Holthoff says he still doesn’t know her official cause of death.
In an email to our newsroom, a spokeswoman for the department indicates they can not comment on specific cases but are looking into what happened.
Jenna MacQueen says sincere condolences are with the family during this difficult time and results of the investigation will be shared with the family when it is complete.
Independent MLA for Cumberland-North Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin has written to Health Minister Michelle Thompson about the death.
Smith-McCrossin is calling on Thompson to address the immediate concerns of the family and community.
“This family deserves compassion, deserves an investigation and our entire area deserves changes to be made immediately to improve conditions here in our area with EHS and ER.” Smith-McCrossin said.
She is requesting a meeting with the province’s health minister.
In a statement on Monday, Michelle Thompson said the investigation will determine “what happened, how we can do better and what we can do to prevent it from happening in the future.”
“I want to assure all Nova Scotians we remain committed to and focused on fixing our healthcare system,” Thompson said. “This is a tragic loss, and my heart goes out to them. I understand they want answers.”
Holthoff was also the deputy chief of the Tidnish Volunteer Fire Department.
Source: Facebook
Condolences have been pouring in from fire departments across the province since her death.
Meantime, Liberal Health Critic Brendan Maguire says our friends, families and fellow Nova Scotians should never have to go through this kind of situation.
