Two patients who went missing from the Rockyview Hospital have been found but critics are now putting the spotlight on the bigger issue of dementia care.
Robert Johnson, 71, went missing from the Rockyview Hospital about 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Johnson suffers from dementia and was found downtown on Wednesday afternoon and returned to the hospital.
Another patient also wandered away from the care facility on Wednesday morning.
James Harrison was the third patient to disappear in the last few weeks. He too was returned safely after an extensive search by city police.
Police were taking no chances after another patient left the hospital on July 18 and was later found dead in the Glenmore Reservoir.
"In light of the situation that happened a couple of weeks ago with a former patient, we did a very exhaustive search, which included HAWKS, our front line officers, K9 units as well," said CPS Insp. Paul Malchow.
Another patient with dementia died at the Rockyview last week and her husband says doctors told him she choked to death and that her emergencey call buitton was broken.
Dr. David Swann says it shows deeper problems with demetia care and a lack of proper long term care in Alberta. He says a public inquiry is in order.
There's no question we all deserve to know, the professionals need to know," said Swann. "A public inquiry is the only way to get this out in the open and get the remedies in place."
The AHS says the issue is with dementia patients who also have health problems and sometimes a secure unit is not the right place for them.
"It not necessarily that it means that it requires more long term beds, but it's an indication that we need to pay attention to their particular needs," said Dr. Francois Belanger.
Health Minister, Fred Horne says he expects the review of the elopements and death will be made public.
