Heather Winterstein remembered at St. Catharines hospital on Red Dress Day

Dozens of people gathered outside the St. Catharines hospital for Red Dress Day for Heather Winterstein who died there after being initially sent away in 2021. They are still waiting for answers more than a year later.

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A red prom dress was hung in front of the St. Catharines hospital on Friday and those who gathered around say it belonged to Winterstein. Winterstein died inside the St. Catharines waiting room nearly two years ago.

Winterstein’s mother Francine Shimizu and many others are dedicating Red Dress Day to 24-year-old Winterstein. They delivered speeches and songs on hospital grounds and then took to the street for more support. Shimizu says, “I hate the circumstances, but she is now a part of something, a part of something really big.”

According to Shimizu, on Dec. 9, 2021, Winterstein went to the emergency room with severe back pain. She says she was then given Tylenol and sent home. Winterstein went back again the next day in more pain.

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Shimizu says, “The EMS tried to talk her out of going to the emergency department. I saw the video footage of the waiting room and that is something a mother should not have to see.”

The family says Winterstein collapsed in the ER waiting room and died that day from the invasive group strep A infection, bacteria entering the bloodstream or deep tissue.

A coroners investigation was launched last year and Winterstein’s mother says that isn’t complete yet. Niagara Health conducted an internal review of the matter and assessed its patient care in its ER.

Last week, Niagara Health released a statement saying it created and implemented an Indigenous health team of three, which they hope to expand in an effort to improve the quality of care. They also said with the help of a First Nations panel they’d be, “…coming up with meaningful recommendations to help guide Niagara Health towards reconciliation,” and expect “…to receive the Assessment Panel’s recommendations this summer.”

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Executive director of the Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre Jennifer Dockstader says the panel was a third party who shared stories and says recommendations are expected in June. Dockstader says, “We all have to change the way we view Indigenous women in all aspects of their lives. So these tragedies stop happening and we stop having to support grieving mothers, grieving families.”

The office of the chief coroner tells CHCH News it doesn’t comment on specific cases or release them publicly. Shimizu says, “The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, they sent me an email saying that it would take up to two years to complete the investigation. I’ve been patiently waiting and it’s almost two years…”