The Yukon's chief coroner has called an inquest into the deaths of Teresa Ann Scheunert and Mary Johnny.

Both women died after receiving treatment at the Watson Lake Hospital.

"I was watching the public interest, and there was some misinformation out there and obviously some lingering questions and concerns from the family and from the community, so I decided to call an inquest,” chief coroner Kirsten Macdonald said this morning during an interview.

Macdonald announced Tuesday afternoon there will be one inquest covering both deaths, held from March 24, 2014 to April 4, 2014 in Whitehorse.

"It's not uncommon in other jurisdictions that multiple deaths are looked at in one inquest,” Macdonald said.

"In fact, right now, B.C. coroner service is looking into the death of, I believe, four individuals at one inquest.”

Jan Stick, the NDP's Health and Social Services critic, said this morning she isn't concerned about the decision to hold one inquest investigating two deaths.

"I think, in both instances, we're talking about system failures and public safety,” she told the Star.

"Given the location of both deaths or the involvement of the hospital, I think given the proximity, I think it's OK.”

The NDP has repeatedly raised questions about Scheunert's death. In the legislature, the party has called again and again for a public inquiry.

"I felt frustrated by asking the questions a lot, and I'm just feeling that it was worth it,” Stick said.

"I'm glad we were persistent in this and I'm glad the families were persistent with this because they did get results.”

She added she is pleased for both families that they will be getting answers.

Health and Social Services Minister Doug Graham is similarly pleased that the coroner has opted for an inquest, saying he thinks it was the right decision.

"I'm not really surprised that she called a public inquest; I think she felt there were enough unexplained issues surrounding the two deaths that an inquest was in the public interest,” he told the Star this morning.

"I guess that's what I've maintained over the last two weeks. The system works if it's given a chance to work.”

But Graham suggested the NDP shouldn't take credit for the coroner's decision.

"I think that's really inappropriate. The coroner again makes the decision based on facts and not on supposition and conjecture like opposition has produced over the last two weeks,” he said.

The coroner did note in her explanation this morning that the ongoing public interest did contribute to her decision.

The families, and other interested parties, can apply for standing in the inquest, which would allow them to question witnesses and access evidence before the jury, Macdonald explained.

"In other cases and other inquests we've done, family has applied for standing, and although I have not received that request, I fully expect a request to come,” she said.

"There would be no reason why, that I can see, that a family would not be approved for standing.

"What we try to do is one member of the family would apply for standing; that doesn't mean all members of the family can't partake, but it just means that there's one common voice.”

Wanda Zimmerman, Scheunert's sister, confirmed this morning that the family will apply for standing, but has not yet decided who will represent them.

The family issued a call for a public inquiry into Scheunert's death on Nov. 12. They highlighted concerns about the care she received at the Watson Lake hospital and the coroner's decision to retract her first report and write another.

The coroner has said there were errors in her first report she was obligated to correct, although questions remain about the extent of the alterations, including changes in tone.

Scheunert died at the Watson Lake Hospital in June 2012 of mixed-drug toxicity.

Zimmerman said the family still would have preferred a public inquiry, but at this point they will take what they can get.

"The story needs to be told, and the questions need to be answered,” she said.

"People in hospital die. We hope it's not by negligence or ignorance; that's why it's vital and appropriate that investigations be done, especially when those deaths are unanticipated.

"The inevitable death of a person who has advanced cancer may not need a full investigation; however, the death of a healthy women who worked full time as an RN does need a thorough investigation,” Zimmerman said.

A report CBC Yukon aired Tuesday highlighted unanswered questions around Johnny's death as well.

Her mother, Eva, told the broadcaster of the difficulty she's experienced trying to get information from the Yukon Hospital Corp. and the medical community about her daughter's death.

Johnny died of a bowel obstruction in August 2012. She was admitted to the Watson Lake hospital and spent six days there before being transferred to the Whitehorse General Hospital.

Macdonald's report into her death noted the initial diagnosis was "alcoholism” – despite abnormal vital signs and persistent complaints of "lower abdominal pain which was associated with nausea, vomiting, apparent melena and vomitus which smelled of stool.”

It was only after three days in hospital that her abdominal pain was investigated and x-rays were ordered.

"Even then, the finding of dilated loops of small bowel did not result in further investigation or intervention,” the coroner's report reads.

Johnny arrived at the Whitehorse hospital suffering from shock and organ failure. A CT confirmed the diagnosis of a bowel obstruction.

The inquest into both deaths will be held in Whitehorse due to the location of witnesses, experts, a potential jury pool, and courtroom facilities.

But Macdonald wanted to assure the community of Watson Lake that she was making efforts to ensure they can be involved.

Arrangements have been made to televise the proceedings at the Yukon College campus in Watson Lake.

While the inquest jury is not legally able to make findings of legal responsibility, it will be able to make recommendations to prevent recurring deaths from similar circumstances.

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