The Management of Woodlands Limited yesterday said it had found “no failure” by its staff in their care of Tamera Leslie, the young woman whom it said had a “miscarriage” on Monday evening at the hospital.
Leslie, 20, was devastated after her premature delivery at the hospital.
The woman, who said she was six months’ pregnant at the time, told Stabroek News that she delivered a visibly alive baby but was told that the child would die since she was just six months along. The survival rate for babies born at such an early stage is extremely low.
Nevertheless the woman said she did not believe her baby was properly cared for and she called for an investigation of the midwife’s handling of the case.
However, in response, Woodlands Limited yesterday said that while conducting an investigation into the matter, the hospital’s management met with Leslie on Wednesday and she was given the opportunity to raise concerns relating to the care she received at the hospital. The statement shared that prior to the meeting held with the patient, no attempt was made by the patient to raise her concerns with the institution. However, the statement explained that having the opportunity to review Leslie’s main concerns, as well as statements from the nurses and doctors who provided care for the patient, no failure on the part of the staff was found.
The statement further said that all standard medical operating protocols were followed. The hospital expressed their condolences to Leslie. “At Woodlands Ltd, we strive to uphold the highest standards of patient care. As such, we encourage all patients who are dissatisfied with the care they have received at our facility to let us know by contacting our Clinical Governance Manager at 227-0355 ext. 225, or any other Manager,” it added.
Leslie opted to seek care at the private hospital after an unsuccessful visit to the Georgetown Public Hospital, which she said referred her to the Accident and Emergency ward, where she was told to have a seat and wait for her name to be called.
According to woman, at Woodlands the midwife then checked the infant’s heartbeat, examined her and stated that everything was okay as she explained that she was in “active labour”. The midwife also asked how far along she was in her pregnancy and she responded, six months. At this point she was informed that the baby would die and was instructed to begin “pushing” in order to deliver the baby.
However, after delivering a visibly alive baby, Leslie stated that her baby was wrapped in a blanket and placed beside her. She was told that the baby would die since she was just six months along.
