NWRHA: Disciplinary action likely in baby deaths cases

Chairman of the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) Dr Patrick Watson has suggested that disciplinary action may be taken following an investigation into the increased incidence of the enterobacter bacteria at the neonatal unit of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. The unit was closed for one week last month while it was sanitised. The Labour and Delivery areas were also cleaned. Although the Ministry of Health ordered an investigation, Watson said the Board appointed its own investigating committee.

In an interview last week Watson said the Board received a report last Tuesday and would be  doing “follow up.”  He said this “will inevitably include possible disciplinary action against people guilty of infringement.” He said this will happen only after “due process” is followed. Last month Health Minister Colm Imbert said action will be taken against those responsible for the unsanitary conditions which resulted in the increased number of cases of the bacteria. However, he did not want to preempt the investigation being conducted by the Ministry’s Quality Manager Valerie Rawlins. During a radio interview last Sunday the Health Minister said he received two reports which “point to a failure on the part of management.” He expected the NWRHA Board “to take action within a week.” Contacted yesterday about the findings and recommendations of the report, Imbert had “no comment at this time.”