Patients and staff accuse a Winnipeg family doctor of lost records, missed referrals, and unsafe clinic conditions—prompting a regulatory investigation.
Alarming Complaints Emerge from Winnipeg Clinic
A Winnipeg family physician is under scrutiny after multiple patients and former staff accused her of mismanaging medical files, delaying referrals, and operating an unsanitary clinic. The allegations against the doctor—practicing at Birchwood Medical Clinic—have prompted regulatory engagement from Manitoba’s medical oversight body.
Patients Report Delayed Referrals and Financial Losses
Several former patients claim the doctor’s failure to send essential documents caused serious disruptions in their care. One patient, Helena Friesen, was left with over $6,000 USD in hospital bills when her travel insurer cancelled coverage due to missing medical records.
“I called my daughter in tears. I didn’t know what to do,” Friesen said, recalling her experience after a COVID-19 hospitalization in Florida. Despite repeated requests over a year, she says the clinic never sent the necessary documentation to her insurer.
Inside the Filing Failures
Former staff, including a longtime office manager, described frequent incidents of lost files and delayed referrals. In one case, a cancer referral sat untouched on the doctor’s desk for a year.
“Patients were crying and yelling at the front desk because their tests or prescriptions weren’t processed,” said Christine Edwards, a former employee. “It became routine to search through towering stacks of unfiled charts.”
Clinic Conditions Called “Unsafe” and “Unhygienic”
Photos shared by former staff show exam rooms and storage areas overflowing with unsorted patient records, expired drug samples, and medical tools left soaking in sinks. One image shows a used specimen container sitting in plain view in an exam room.
“It looked more like a storage closet than a place for medical care,” said another former employee. Several ex-staff and patients referred to the clinic as a “pig pen.”
Impact on Vulnerable Patients
Patients living with chronic illnesses say delayed paperwork jeopardized their income and access to treatment.
Linda Gies, who has both cancer and multiple sclerosis, said she nearly lost her disability credit because her physician delayed submitting a government form. After being denied during a clinic visit and later stood up at another appointment, Gies says she had to threaten a complaint to get her paperwork filed.
“That tax credit may seem small, but it’s the difference between food on the table or not,” she said.
Regulatory Response and Ongoing Investigation
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba confirmed it is “engaged” with Birchwood Medical Clinic following complaints. The regulatory body declined to disclose details but acknowledged that changes are coming.
“In July, we will implement updates to strengthen how we handle complaints and concerns,” said Dr. Guillaume Poliquin, assistant registrar of complaints and investigations.
Shortly after the college was contacted, sources say medical files and documents were removed from the clinic—raising further concern about record management practices.
Patients Hesitate to Speak Up
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, many patients remain reluctant to report issues, fearing it will be difficult to find another doctor.
“You can’t just switch doctors like you switch grocery stores,” said Gies. “We’re medically vulnerable.”
Helena Friesen, who once withdrew a complaint for that very reason, has now refiled hers with detailed evidence.
Silence from the Physician
The doctor declined to provide comment, stating only that she has worked at the same location for 35 years. Multiple requests for interviews or written responses were not answered.
As investigations continue, current and former patients are urging authorities to take swift action to protect access to safe and competent medical care in Winnipeg.
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