Opposition Wants Immediate Action
Opposition Spokesperson on Health and Wellness, Dr. Morais Guy, says there is an absence of surgeons at St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital forcing the facility to send cases to smaller hospitals with fewer resources.
Dr Guy is calling on the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, and the North-East Regional Health Authority to immediately address the situation.
According to a release issued by Dr Guy Friday, August 25, all surgeons at St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital are either on leave or not in a position to provide 24-hour care. “It cannot be that smaller hospitals with fewer resources and facilities must accept cases from the institution which should take cases from them,” Dr. Guy said.
The Opposition Spokesperson said the situation has serious implications for critical patients who, for example, are being transported from St. Ann’s Bay to Annotto Bay for surgical intervention. Dr. Guy said his information was that the surgeon, who is also the Senior Medical Officer of Health (SMO), is on leave, and her assistant cannot offer 24-hour coverage.
Dr Guy said further delay in dealing with the situation “can result in serious complications or death.”
