On this blog you’ll find a link to all of Jacques Gallant’s Toronto Star reporting on these important issues as the articles appeared in the Star throughout April and May of 2026, here:
A further follow-up piece by Jacques Gallant appeared in the Star on August 26, 2026
Locked up. Alone. For years. Ontario hospital’s use of isolation akin to ‘torture,’ independent review finds
The first detailed look inside Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care since Star investigation finds the hospital is violating its own policy.
And number 11 in the series now regarding the hearing of the ORB regarding Andrew Azevedo appeared on August 27, 2026
Aug. 27, 2026
The Star exposed his five years in isolation at this Ontario psychiatric hospital. He’s suddenly set to be released from seclusion
Andrew Azevedo’s doctor at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care attributes his improvement to a change in medication — not the public attention.
August 31, 2026
Follow Up Piece #12 – August 31 2026
He warned Doug Ford’s government this hospital locks people in ‘horrific’ isolation. The province called one hospital exec — then did nothing
Psychiatrist Dr. John Bradford warned the province in 2018 about “horrific conditions” at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.
Follow Up Piece #13 – October 17, 2026 (online)
What’s it really like for patients ‘trapped’ in seclusion? ‘I feel sometimes I’m losing my soul’
Their accounts offer a rare look at life in long-term isolation inside Ontario’s Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.
Related Stories
The story of Camelott Hamblett and why he’s spent two decades locked in a room alone at this Ontario psychiatric hospital
Why this Ontario psychiatric hospital’s use of long-term isolation is being called ‘abusive’ — ‘The likes of which I have never seen’
This expert panel had the power to challenge Camelott Hamblett’s 20 years in isolation inside an Ontario hospital. Why didn’t it?
Their son has been ‘caged’ in this Ontario psychiatric hospital for nearly five years. Why public ‘shock and horror’ may mean new hope
He was locked up — alone — for years. Now the hospital’s use of isolation has been deemed akin to ‘torture’
The Star exposed his five years in isolation at this Ontario psychiatric hospital. He’s suddenly set to be released from seclusion
AND IN OTHER NEWS
Solitary crosses constitutional line in prisons. Why not in hospitals?
By John L. Hill · Listen to article
Law360 Canada (September 2, 2026, 10:47 AM EDT)
Follow Up Piece #13 – September 5, 2026
Her son was ‘caged’ for 5 years. Video of his life in isolation at this Ontario hospital has left her ‘absolutely, completely horrified’
Jake Gordon now slowly being released from seclusion at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care. His mom credits the Star’s ongoing investigation for the change.
Follow Up Piece #14 – September 12, 2026
Hospital ordered to take action on seclusion
Review board calls for measures to reduce patient’s time in isolation
Available online on Sept 14, 2026
The Star profiled Andrew Azevedo’s five years in isolation. Now his Ontario hospital has been ordered to take action
The Ontario Review Board has ordered Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care to implement measures “recognizing the harm done by seclusion.”
Follow-up Piece #15 on September 22, 2026
Stories of patient isolation at this Ontario hospital ’deeply troubling,’ ombudsman says. Warnings about ‘unethical’ use of seclusion go back more than 40 years
“The patient experiences being shared are deeply troubling. All patients should receive safe and appropriate mental health care consistent with recognized, evidence-informed approaches.”
Follow Up Piece #16 on September 24, 2026
PressReader – Front Page of the Newspaper
Hospital told to follow its own rules on use of isolation
Seclusion should be an exceptional measure, board says in `watershed’ ruling
Toronto Star Online Sept 24 2026
Ontario hospital ordered to follow own policies. Waypoint routinely broke internal rules for long-term patient isolation
“The panel is directing Waypoint’s treatment of (Andrew Azevedo) to be in compliance with its own policies.”
Follow Up Piece #17 Online, October 17 2026
What’s it really like for patients ‘trapped’ in seclusion? ‘I feel sometimes I’m losing my soul’
Their accounts offer a rare look at life in long-term isolation inside Ontario’s Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.
Pingback: How Ontario kept a man in isolation for 20+ years – A Podcast Interview with Toronto Star reporter Jacques Gallant about his Seclusion Series (Sept 21 2026) | anitaszigeti