Just a month after Alberta Health Services (AHS) conducted an investigation into the care of Lisa Goltman, the family of the 22-year-old patient has been notified of her death.
“We knew something was wrong. We knew something bad was going to happen. We begged them to help us and no one did anything,” Lisa’s sister, Marie, said.
At 18, Lisa was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder and had been in and out of hospital care over the last few years.
The family became concerned about Lisa’s care after she was rushed from Alberta Hospital to the University of Alberta’s emergency room with serious injuries.
They explained she was found unresponsive and bleeding with injuries to her head and face.
“Something happened to have caused her to go from one hospital to another severely injured the way she was,” Lisa’s other sister, Michelle, told CTV News.
According to AHS the investigation did not turn up any concerns.
“An investigation into the family’s prior concerns was undertaken by AHS, and the conclusions were provided to the family. This investigation did not reveal any evidence of inappropriate conduct by staff,” a statement released Saturday read.
Marie said officials at AHS told them last week it was determined Lisa fell.
“He did explain to us that they did an internal investigation. They investigated approximately nine people.”
She also said that they had been watching Lisa get progressively worse over the past few weeks.
“It got to the point where she won’t talk. She won’t tell you what she is scared of, she won’t tell you what she is seeing or hearing. She was literally existing. She wasn’t living.”
AHS said they were working with police and the medical examiner to determine the cause of Lisa’s death, something her sisters wish could have been prevented.
“I just wish people would listen. We’re family. We know her better than anyone,” Marie said.
The family said they will be considering legal action against AHS.
With files from Jeff Harrington
