DOCTORED

In response to an uproar made by members of the North West Doctors’ Association on Monday, threatening to cease all non-essential services in light of the reported robbery, which the young aspiring doctor claimed occurred just before midnight on Sunday, the Ministry of Health held meetings with the officials at the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA), along with the intern in the presence of her parents. In a subsequent statement, the Ministry said, during the meeting it was revealed the young woman had lied. A release sent by the North West Doctors’ Association stated that the intern had “rescinded” her earlier report of the robbery. The NWRHA is now requesting a full report on the matter.

While the intern is now said to be off duty, it is not yet known what disciplinary action will be taken in light of her dishonesty.

Sheldon Cyrus, CEO of the NWRHA, told Newsday that disciplining the intern was a task that would be left to the Ministry, as the NWRHA has no jurisdiction over interns. Newsday was told that the NWRHA covers issues facing doctors at the hospitals and interns are sent to hospitals via the Ministry.

Attempts to reach Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh on the matter were fruitless.

Newsday was told the intern’s reason for making the false claim, was because she had been experiencing a lot of stress. Despite the fact that the aspiring doctor lied about being robbed, the situation successfully brought to the fore, the issue of security or lack thereof at hospitals in the NWRHA. According to Cyrus, the NWRHA has since held meetings with the North West Doctors’ Association, at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, with the hope of resolving any relevant security issues.

Cyrus said that at the meeting, it was decided the NWRHA will employ its security manager to identify related issues at the city Hospital.

“Simple things like lighting issues, which could be treated with immediate effect, will be addressed,” said the CEO. “Other things like monitoring of security officers will be treated with as well. In the long term, we intend to review security for all hospitals in the NWRHA” Security systems at the three hospitals which fall under the NWRHA - the St James Medical Facility, St Ann’s Hospital and Port-of-Spain General Hospital - as well as health centres under this RHA’s jurisdiction will be re-evaluated.

Dwight William, CEO of one of the major security companies tasked with protection of the city hospital, told Newsday that his company Heller Security, has been dealt irreparable damage from the false claim by the intern.

“It is bewildering that this has become an issue and that doctors are saying our security staff are unwilling to help them,” said William.

“My company and employees continue to stay true to the mantra of delivering quality security to all our clients.” William noted that what appear to be gaps in the security at the city hospital, is really a result of cuts in the budget. Because of recent budget cuts, several positions where security guards were once posted, have become redundant.

The intern has said she was at the lab area of the Hospital, just before midnight on Sunday when she was approached by a man seeking directions to the Intensive Care Unit.

She said she led the man to the ICU but as she was about to leave, he held her at gunpoint, took her to a dark area in one of the parking lots at the back of the hospital and robbed her of $300.