Deputy Chief Magistrate has bad back

The Medical Board has stated that Deputy Chief Magistrate Deborah Thomas-Felix cannot travel long distances since this would adversely affect her back injury.

Thomas-Felix was due to return to work yesterday, but had to take further leave because she is still awaiting the report of the Medical Board. Newsday understands that the report was completed and handed to Chief Medical Officer Rampersad Parasram. Attempts to get Parasram were unsuccessful yesterday. Sources said yesterday that the Board took the position that Thomas-Felix is medically fit to work. However, because of her back condition she should not be forced to travel long distances, the Board reportedly stated in the report. Thomas-Felix underwent an hour-long medical examination by two doctors appointed by the medical board. The examination was done on August 5. The results of the report are compatible with the position which Thomas-Felix has taken — that, she is not well enough to travel to the San Fernando Magistrates’ court, the area to which she has been recently transferred.

Parasram as Chief Medical Officer, has to sign the report before it is submitted to the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. According to sources however, he has had it for over three weeks now. As Chief Medical Officer, the Board prepares the report on his behalf. Therefore he is free to comment or criticise the report and its findings. Thomas-Felix is challenging, on medical grounds, the decision of Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicholls to assign her to the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. In July she sought  judicial leave but was turned down by Justice Mark Mohammed. She has since filed an appeal. That appeal is due to start on September 27. And sources wondered yesterday whether the Report of the Medical Board would be released by Parasram to the JLSC before  the appeal begins. Thomas-Felix who is seeking to quash McNicholls’ decision, wants the Appeal Court to grant her leave to seek her judicial review.

The JLSC had requested that Thomas-Felix be examined by the medical board to determine the extent of her back injuries. Among her medical documents produced was an MRI Scan done by Dr Parmanand Maharaj of her lumbar sacral spine, and another report by Dr Godfrey Araujo, an othopaedic surgeon. Thomas-Felix was transferred to the San Fernando Court in February, shortly after McNicholls informed her that he had taken over the trial of former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday.