Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Health Minister Rudyard Spencer says he was concerned about the long waiting period patients undergo when they visit public hospitals across the island.

As such the minister is to meet with all the stakeholders in the health sector to address the perennial problem.

"We have heard it at KPH (Kingston Public Hospital), we have heard it at Bustamante Hospital for Children that people have to wait endlessly in long lines without being treated," Mr. Spencer told the Rotary Club of St. Andrew at its weekly meeting, held at Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, yesterday.

"I am meeting with all functionaries in the health sector. CEO, chief medical officer, rural health authority, chairmen, nurses, doctors, everybody because I have a concern about this long line," he said.

Measures necessary

Mr. Spencer said several measures have to be put in place immediately.

"One of which is when you turn up at the hospital, there must be someone there, there must be a sort of customer service agent there to determine how serious the patient is, because if the patient is serious, there is absolutely no need for them to be registered and have to wait again," Mr. Spencer noted.

The Health Minister added: "If this person is serious, the reason why they are at the hospital is to get immediate treatment and there must be someone there who can usher that patient to see a doctor and then do the registration."

Mr. Spencer's concerns come following several unfortunate incidents of deaths at hospitals. A two-year-old baby died on October 16 after she fell ill and was taken to the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

After registration the mother informed hospital staff that the child's condition had worsened but she was told that she had to wait her turn. When the doctor agreed to see her, the child had already died.

Autopsy for 8-y-o

An eight-year-old girl also died last week after she was taken to the May Pen Hospital with an asthmatic condition. It was alleged that she died because she waited too long before she was seen. However, this was disputed by hospital officials who said she was treated shortly after arrival but developed complications after. Mr. Spencer said he has requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Some patients who turned up at the Accident and Emergency Department of the University Hospital of the West Indies on Monday also complained about the long waiting period.

One patient, Morven Richardson, related that she almost died two weeks ago after she was referred to the Orthopaedic Department with a fracture to her foot. After registration, she complained to the nurse that she was feeling ill but was told that she had to wait.

Ms. Richardson was only seen when her condition worsened. It was later revealed that she had a pulmonary embolism - a condition that occurs when an artery in a persons lung becomes blocked.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com