Health Inquiry hit by delays

Three months after being sworn in, the commissioners responsible for conducting an inquiry into the health services are yet to start because they are awaiting Cabinet approval for the site chosen for their secretariat and the ex-gratia payment they are to receive. The commission was sworn in by His Excellency George Maxwell Richards at President’s House on June 28. Their mandate is to investigate complaints, inadequacies, quality of services, capability of managers and processionals in the health sector, and questionable deaths. “The delays, I certainly did not anticipate,” said Chairman of the commission Hector McClean yesterday.  Outlining some of the delays, he said after being sworn-in the commission could not start because their appointments were not gazetted as required by the Commission of Inquiry Act.

This happened one month later, and during this time there was a change in the secretary of the commission (Dr John Prince was replaced by Patrick Edwards). McClean said the commissioners are entitled to an ex-gratia (given as a favour where no legal obligation exists) payment after submitting their report. The sum for each member had to be negotiated with the Attorney General and the proposal taken back to Cabinet for approval, “before we commence on the Commission of Inquiry.” The AG also has responsibility for deciding the legal teams representing the commission. McClean said the Industrial Court was identified for the public hearings, and the venue for the secretariat. Staffing for the secretariat has to be approved.

McClean said a note had been taken to Cabinet by the Office of the Prime Minister with respect to  the secretariat, and the sum to be paid to its staff.  He said Government also has to give approval to a series of advertisements inviting the public to send in their correspondences about the health sector. McClean said the success of the inquiry  depended on the public response. Asked about the duration of the public inquiry (the Commission of Inquiry into the Piarco Terminal project lasted 107 days), McClean assured that it will not last as long. “As soon as the Government gives the OK to proceed, we will call a press conference to say how we will proceed.”