Urgent Questions Arise After B.C. Woman Discharged Homeless

UPDATE: Urgent questions are being raised after a woman in a wheelchair and her caregiver were discharged from Abbotsford Regional Hospital in British Columbia without a safe place to go. Simone Duttenhoffer, who has faced severe medical challenges since a hit-and-run crash in 2015, and her caregiver, Peter Hunt, were left homeless after their recent hospital visit.

The alarming incident unfolded in early November 2023, following a stay in the emergency room where both individuals sought help. After facing severe pain and the loss of their temporary shelter due to flooding, they turned to the hospital for assistance. “I was either in my wheelchair sitting up, or Peter would lift me down into our sleeping bags,” Duttenhoffer recounted.

Despite the hospital staff being aware of their homelessness, both were discharged with only a cab ride to social services arranged. Upon arrival, they discovered that no shelter bed had been secured for them. “When we got there, they didn’t know anything about it,” Duttenhoffer said.

Weather conditions had deteriorated, with nighttime temperatures plunging to 3 C, leaving them vulnerable and without resources. Joseph Sikora, director of Ground Zero Ministries, intervened after learning that neither had food or funds. He reported that only one shelter in Abbotsford had available beds but refused to accept them due to the specific care needs of Duttenhoffer.

In a desperate bid for help, Sikora returned Duttenhoffer to the hospital, where a social worker was able to connect them with appropriate housing. “We are sorry for the confusion and distress these patients experienced during their time at Abbotsford Regional Hospital,” stated Trena Canning, Interim Executive Director at the hospital. Canning emphasized that patients without housing are supposed to receive adequate support during discharge planning.

“Every patient deserves to feel supported…and we regret that this was not their experience,” she added, acknowledging the need for better processes in place for vulnerable patients.

While Duttenhoffer and Hunt have now found housing, the ordeal raises significant concerns about the discharge policies for homeless patients. The couple expressed gratitude for the support they eventually received but highlighted the urgent need for systemic changes in how hospitals handle vulnerable populations.

As the community reflects on this troubling incident, advocates are calling for immediate improvements in healthcare discharge protocols to prevent similar situations in the future. The impact of this event underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the unhoused, particularly those with disabilities, in accessing necessary resources.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow this developing story and the responses from local authorities and healthcare services.