Four years after Heather Winterstein, a 24-year-old Indigenous woman, died in a St. Catharines hospital from a Strep A blood infection, her family is still awaiting a coroner’s inquest to understand the lack of medical care she received. Winterstein was initially discharged with Tylenol despite severe symptoms and collapsed upon her return to the hospital. Her family believes systemic racism affected the care she received, and they hope the inquest will prompt meaningful changes in Indigenous healthcare. Niagara Health has accepted recommendations from a review panel, including mandatory cultural safety training for staff and the establishment of dedicated Indigenous services.
