Health clinic to be named for man who died in Winnipeg ER

A private inner-city clinic set to open this spring is in talks with Brian Sinclair’s family about naming the new facility after the disabled man, who died last year after waiting more than 30 hours for care in a Winnipeg emergency room.

Internet pharmacy pioneer Daren Jorgenson confirmed he will open a walk-in clinic at William Avenue and Sherbrook Street that "stares the Health Sciences Centre ER in the face" this May.

The clinic will house physicians, a pharmacy, and a patient advocate that focuses on helping the aboriginal and inner-city community.

Sagkeeng First Nation Chief Donovan Fontaine said plans are in the works to name the clinic after Sinclair. Fontaine said nothing will get the go-ahead until Sinclair’s family gives the idea their blessing, but he thought it would be a way to ensure his death wasn’t in vain.

Sinclair lived in Sagkeeng periodically, Fontaine said, and still has extended family there.

"It’s his legacy, and we don’t want him to be forgotten," Fontaine said.

One of Sinclair’s brothers, Bradley Sinclair, attended the press conference and was visibly upset about his brother’s death.

"Why him?" he said.

Jorgenson said he urged the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority for more than two years to link the HSC’s ER with walk-in clinics across the city.

More than half of all ER visits are non-emergency, he said, adding that his idea included incorporating kiosks into the ER triage so non-emergency patients could choose to wait at the ER or book themselves in at another walk-in clinic and be guaranteed an appointment.