By Canadian Press

Doctor, health administrator to lead Manitoba switched-at-birth review

Nov 24, 2016 | 10:30 AM

OTTAWA — A pediatric doctor and a health administrator have been tabbed to examine how four indigenous men from northern Manitoba were switched at birth 40 years ago.

Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott promised the review after two sets of men came forward following DNA tests.

The tests showed they had been sent home from Norway House Indian Hospital with the wrong mothers.

Health Canada says Dr. David Creery and Maura Davies have agreed to lead the independent review.

Creery is a pediatric intensive care doctor and medical director of patient safety at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa.

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Davies is the former president and CEO of the Saskatoon Health Region and is experienced in health-services delivery.

“The department takes this issue very seriously and is committed to supporting the individuals and families affected by these traumatic events,” Health Canada said in a release Thursday.

“The review team will conduct a thorough examination of available hospital records and will contact key individuals who were involved at that time. This review is intended to clarify the circumstances of the known cases.”

Philpott spoke with three of the men in Winnipeg on Monday in what she called an emotional meeting.

“They spoke about how difficult this has been and also about their very sincere need and desire to heal from the trauma they have endured from this,” she said afterwards.

Last fall, Luke Monias and Norman Barkman discovered they grew up with each other’s parents after being switched as babies at the Norway House hospital in 1975.

This summer, DNA tests revealed a similar mix-up involving Leon Swanson and David Tait Jr., who were born at the same hospital in the same year.

Philpott has called the mix-ups appalling. The RCMP is also investigating.

Creery and Davies are to work with a team that will also include the family doctor of two of the men.

Health Canada says it is confident the panel will “conduct this review in a manner that is sensitive to and respectful of the affected individuals, their families and communities.”

The review is to be completed early next year. Health Canada says the results will be made public.

The Canadian Press