An elderly woman in Hay River was deprived of healthcare services after surgery.

On June 14 Hay River resident Lois MacInnis, 70, underwent a hysterectomy and five days after the surgery she expected home-care providers to arrive and help with her recovery.

However, when home personal support workers showed up at MacInnis' apartment on June 19, no one answered the door. The support workers did not have a key, therefore could not get into the building.

MacInnis remained in bed with no help and limited mobility, she went without care for two weeks and later told the Hay River Hub in a July 5 interview, she feels there was not enough done to help her.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey just said 'you weren't there' ... I said 'well where would I be?'SA国际影视传媒� MacInnis said in a that previous interview. SA国际影视传媒淚t's been over two weeks now and there's no one who's reported here to me.SA国际影视传媒�

Weeks later and MacInnis said she never received the help she expected, she said she took care of herself after the surgery.

SA国际影视传媒淭o me it was a little fishy,SA国际影视传媒� said McInnis. SA国际影视传媒淚 didn't like the way I was treated, I was black and blue and I could have used the help.SA国际影视传媒�

It turned out to be the nurses had gone to an old address that was on the file.

However, it should not have resulted in failing to receive care all-together, said MacInnis.

The Department of Health and Social Services responded last week. Spokesperson Damien Healy said the department was made aware of MacInnis' complaint. He added workers will not usually keep keys for a clients home.

SA国际影视传媒淥nly if absolutely necessary and pre-arranged, clients may provide keys,SA国际影视传媒� stated Healy in an email. SA国际影视传媒淲hen clients are signed up for home care, they are told that if the door is locked, the client or another person must be available to open the door at the appointment time.SA国际影视传媒�

Home-care services are run through DHSS. Healy said the protocol for support workers is to wait until the door is answered.

SA国际影视传媒淭he home care staff will wait a few minutes and try knocking on the door several times. They will also try to phone the person. If there is no response, the staff person will phone the clientSA国际影视传媒檚 next of kin or other identified person to notify,SA国际影视传媒� stated Healy. SA国际影视传媒淚f no one can account for a clientSA国际影视传媒檚 failure to open the door, answer the phone or call out, and the home care staff is concerned that the client may be at risk, they may attempt to gain access with a building manager (or) housing authority contact.SA国际影视传媒�

MacInnis added all the nurses had to do was contact the Hay River Housing Authority and they would have been redirected to the Riverview Lodge Apartments.