Dear Editor,
Besides being filled with utter rage, abhorrence and disgust on reading of the midnight intruder who sneaked into the Georgetown Public Hospital to molest an in-patient teenager (Kaieteur News, October 5), I am also questioning what sort of security is offered those during a vulnerable period in their lives? One can immediately pose the question, if one is not safe in the hospital, then pray tell me where is one safe? While the entire scenario appears like a scene from the comedy network Just for Laughs, it nevertheless calls for a serious revision of current safety policies. In addition, if the account is indeed true, legal measures should be instituted against the hospital for gross negligence in failing to protect those who are under their care from unacceptable risks of harm.
What manner of supervision is afforded patients, especially at night? Are regular checks carried out, and from a standpoint of nursing care and supervision are the patients visible at all times, even when asleep? It is stated that the Ward Sister chased the intruder away. Why were other personnel not summoned? What if the intruder had been armed, or had become combative?
The intruder was reportedly grilled by the Ward Sister and other female patients as to his reason for being on the ward at such an hour. What a waste of time, energy and effort, as he had obviously sneaked his way in, and his presence was outside regular visiting hours. Leave that to the investigatory agents to ascertain the whys, wherefores, whens, etc.
Was there a staff shortage which served as a contributory factor to this occurrence? Does the hospital not have an emergency call system in place to be used by either patients or staff when situations such as these arise? It does not even merit mention that the intruder and the patient both hailed from the same village; such a fact bears no relationship to the act committed. I daresay the behaviour of the intruder might suggest mental instability, as he failed to leave the scene of the crime even when discovered and ordered to leave.
This incident highlights the failure of the system to execute its most essential duty, and also shows wider systemic failings within the institution ‒ a betrayal of the core values of the health service. The quality of care is as important as the quality of treatment, for when hospitals fail in their duty to protect patients, the results can be devastating.
My recommendation is that while the wave of government conducted audits continues to sweep the country then the GPH should also be subjected to an audit, especially where, among other issues, security is concerned. An act of this nature that could have had a disastrous outcome should never be allowed to happen again.
Let it not be forgotten or overlooked that the hospital has moral responsibilities to its patients, and at all times these must be met.
Yours faithfully,
Yvonne Sam
