Uncaring health worker

THE EDITOR: Please allow me to draw your attention to an unfortunate situation that occurred on the first day of September which involved my son and I. On Thursday August 31, 2004 Independence Day, my son fell off his bicycle and he received extensive injuries. Immediately I took him to Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, where he received excellent professional care. The attending doctor, one Dr Porch, advised me to take him to the health department in my area for the wounds to be dressed and cleaned every day, because of the extent of the damage to his chest. The following day I took my son to the Morvant Health Office. I arrived there at 7.15 am and I decided to wait because of the seriousness of my son’s wounds and because I had taken time off from my job. The office opened at approximately quarter to eight and I spoke to the nurse who advised me to wait until the nurse in charge came.

About twenty minutes later, the nurse in charge arrived wearing a khaki brown uniform. She started off her day’s proceedings with a prayer. After the prayer, the registering nurse summoned me to go to the nurse in charge. As I started to tell her what the doctor told me at the Eric Williams Medical Complex at Mount Hope, her facial expression changed and her action towards me in the prsence of my son was monstrous. She started by telling me, “what you people came here for, mentioning Mount Hope, as though Mount Hope has any business here. you eh look on de notice board! You can’t see we doh do dressing on Thursdays,” with a steups. I was totally appalled and my son was close to tears. By then I gained a little confidence to ask her softly, if she could only look at the extent of the wound on his chest, since the dressing has now become soiled.

In a very rough manner the nurse held on to my son’s hand and dragged him in a room where she ripped off the old tape and roughly placed a new one on my son’s wound. Not only did she abuse us but she also hurt my son in the way she ripped out the dressing. Sir, I am employed in the Ministry of Finance and I am disappointed that this is the treatment meted out by my fellow public servants. One can imagine the plight of the average citizen. It is dehumanising what patients have to go through normally to get help in our medical facilities. I would like to give special thanks to the loving and caring staff of the Eric Williams Medical Complex, particularly Dr Porch, and all the other doctors and nurses who gave me advice for my son’s speedy recovery. Please Honourable Minister do something about that nurse at the Morvant Health Office. Since I am convinced that you and your Ministry are working towards your desire for an improved health sector.

ANN BEST
morvant