Wright-Pascoe

MEMBERS OF the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) have summoned the president, Dr Rosemarie Wright-Pascoe, to an extraordinary general meeting to explain her contribution to the committee which investigated operations at the National Chest Hospital in St Andrew.

Sources have told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre that there was growing discontent among MAJ members about the manner in which the review of the hospital, which implicated senior vascular thoracic surgeon, Dr Dennis Pyne, was handled.

Dr Pyne is currently on interdiction and receiving only a quarter of his salary.

Unfit to serve

Health Minister Rudyard Spencer ordered the investigation last July following irregularities which were reported at the institution.

Wright-Pascoe is expected to explain the likely implications of the National Chest Hospital review.

Gleaner/Power 106 News sources say a significant number of MAJ members are of the view that the current president is no longer fit to serve.

The members are reportedly claiming that Wright-Pascoe failed to represent the association in ensuring that due process was followed in the investigation regarding their colleague.

They have even reportedly expressed concern that the association has departed from the traditional means of addressing disciplinary matters involving doctors. Breaches of professional practice by doctors are usually handled by the Medical Council of Jamaica.

When contacted, Wright-Pascoe told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre that she was not aware of the sentiments being expressed by members of the association.

The solicitor general has referred the report on the review at the National Chest Hospital to the Medical Council of Jamaica for an enquiry.

But the doctors argue that this should have been the first step in the investigation. The health minister had earlier referred the report to the solicitor general.

ceila.morgan@gleanerjm.com