The IWK Health Centre is denying allegations made by Rehtaeh Parsons’ family that two male staff members stripped the teen of her clothes while she was seeking treatment for depression and suicidal thoughts.
The children’s hospital says male staff sometimes attend to female patients, but only for their own safety and protection or to deliver treatment.
The teen sought treatment at the health centre after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by four boys in November 2011, at the age of 15.
Her family says a photo of the incident was passed around her school and that Rehtaeh was subsequently harassed and bullied by her peers, which eventually led her to commit suicide in April, at the age of 17.
Anne McGuire, CEO and president of the IWK, is troubled by the allegations made against the hospital and says the teen’s clothes were not removed while males were present.
She also says the IWK will not discuss the case further due to patient confidentiality.
“I cannot tell you that because it is in her personal health information and it’s all on the record,” says McGuire. “Having said that, we’d be more than glad to go over all of that with the parents and they can certainly have access to the whole record and the whole story of Rehtaeh’s stay with us.”
The IWK Health Centre says staff has both called and emailed Rehtaeh’s parents, but so far they have not heard back from the family.
The teen’s father, Glen Canning, emailed the following statement to CTV News on Monday.
“They have made it seem like she lied and we are very upset about that. We have been in touch with two girls who were present when Rehtaeh was there. Both remember her being stripped of her clothes. One states that males stripped her of her clothes as well.”
The IWK says Protection Services staff are present only in dangerous situations when a patient threatens to harm themselves or someone else.
“Every effort is made to keep them out of the room, in the background, in the distance and they are only there if we ever got to the point where we needed to preserve and protect someone’s safety,” says McGuire.
Parsons’ family plans to follow up and ask for copies of her medical records.
McGuire says the health centre will review its current practices regarding the treatment of patients with of Mental Health Services, but says it is constantly reviewing such procedures.
She hopes the hospital can preserve its reputation and reassure current and future patients and their families so they can feel confident about the care they receive at the IWK.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl
