Shore nurses 'ambushed'

Lawyer says inquest flawed

"An inquest is not supposed to be an exercise in finding legal responsibility and, unfortunately, that's what's happened at this inquest to these nurses," said Elizabeth McIntyre, who represents nurses Ruth Doerkson, Anagaile Sorieno and Mary Douglas.

"It's trial by ambush," she said. McIntyre said there was "no notice up-front of any alleged wrongdoing."

COMPLICATIONS

Shore, 10, died in hospital Oct. 22 after being admitted for extreme pain from complications resulting from a broken leg.

The inquest jury ruled the death a "homicide" through hospital negligence.

It found the girl died from a complex drug interaction leading to cardiac and respiratory arrest. The death is being reviewed by the police and Crown attorney's office as well as by hospital officials.

McIntyre wants the College of Nurses of Ontario to investigate allegations made against her clients during the inquest.

Both Doerkson and Sorieno were directly involved in the girl's care, while Douglas was peripherally involved. All three are on paid leave from their jobs while the hospital reviews the case.

McIntyre said there are questions about the drugs prescribed, about monitoring equipment and the coroner's investigation.

"I want them to look at the allegations that have come out and review the nursing care," she said.

College spokesman Cindy Campbell said any request for an inquiry would be reviewed.