Independent investigation begins into Lakeshore General Hospital ER deaths

The Quebec government’s independent investigation into practices at Lakeshore General Hospital’s emergency room is underway.

Health Minister Christian Dubé asked for the investigation following a report by the Montreal Gazette that suggested the Lakeshore ER has seen an increasing number of potentially preventable patient deaths over the last four years.

Francine Dupuis, the former associate executive director of the centre-west health authority of Montreal, was tapped to lead the investigation.

“Dupuis is the ideal person to carry out this mandate with rigor given her extensive experience in the health and social services network, and especially in the West Island of Montreal,” Quebec’s Ministry of Health told CityNews in a statement.

“She has all the investigative powers to take the necessary means and shed light on the events as well as to propose recommendations for the benefit of the health and safety of the users of our network.”

RELATED: Family of woman found dead on Lakeshore ER floor demands investigation into ‘possible cover-up’ by hospital

The Gazette investigation found there were medical mistakes made at Lakeshore due to the shortage of staff, poor staff training, incorrect supervision and broken equipment.

Hospital staff told the Gazette there were attempts to cover up the “preventable deaths.”