Fate of Lucia Cal Investigation Mired in Bureaucracy

Lucia Cal

The proverbial buck, the outcome of all the scandals that have besieged the Western Regional Hospital since the beginning of the year, stops at the Minister of Health.  He, in turn, has placed the blame squarely at the feet of the hospital’s administration.  So, will heads roll in the wake of the massive rodent infestation, the snake-bitten nurse, the maternal death of Nolberta Sanchez and the unexplained death of Lucia Cal?  That’s what we asked the C.E.O. earlier today.  Here’s what he had to say.

Dr. Peter Allen, CEO, Ministry of Health

Dr. Peter Allen

“The guidance that we really have to follow from the Solicitor General’s office in the Ministry of the Attorney General is that we cannot comment on such cases.”

Reporter

“Can you assure the public that the matter is being fully investigated and if anyone is found to be in fault that they will be dealt with?”

Dr. Peter Allen

“Absolutely.  The matter is a great tragedy as far as we are concerned and, as with all such matters, they are immediately investigated thoroughly.  In these instances not just by a team from the Ministry of Health but we also invite objective, outside professionals to address any of the issues.  Now the different bodies that look after discipline in such things are actually the public service and the Public Service Commission of course for public officers.  So we have to follow due process but also the Medical and Dental Council for physicians and dentists to make sure that ethical practices have been followed and the Nurses and Midwife Council for nurses.  So we will make sure that anything that appears to have been wrongly done that those bodies would be notified.”

The C.E.O. also said that they will be embarking on measures to improve conditions at the hospital as recommended by the Health Inspectorate.