Kirsten Hanke died on August 20th from a suspected blood clot in her lung several days after breaking her ankle in three places while picking up a package on her front step.

Hanke was immobile following the August 12th fall and was scheduled for surgery at Royal University Hospital on August 15th.  When she arrived, there was no record of the scheduled procedure. After hours of waiting, she was sent home because there were no available beds at the hospital.

Hanke died after collapsing at her home while waiting for a rescheduled surgery. The family was told she died from blood clot that had moved from her ankle into her lungs.

“I’m calling on the Minister of Health to conduct a full investigation into the death of Kirsten Hanke,” said NDP leader Carla Beck. “This family deserves answers, and they deserve to know that no other family will have to suffer this way.”

The NDP says 333 people died in Saskatchewan waiting for surgery in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

“We’re hearing from people all over Saskatchewan,” Beck said. “Stories of loved ones dying while waiting for surgery, stories of people permanently disabled due to delays in proper care.”

Saskatchewan Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill released the following written statement:

I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the Hanke family and their loved ones. The safety of patients continues to be our government’s focus and while I cannot comment on the specifics of the case due to privacy legislation and patient confidentiality, I expect the SHA to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding this incident and take any appropriate action identified through the review process to support the delivery of safe, high-quality care for Saskatchewan patients and families.