Dear Editor: I feel obliged to relay my message via a popular news medium such as yours. My trip to the keyboard comes on the heels of many negative and defacing reports given about the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).
In a not-too-distant past the PMH has been rumoured to be one of the most inefficient departments in the public service, though scientific data was never collected and statistically collected in reports which may prove vice versa. I must add that in dealing with human beings, mistakes and lapses are expected in “any” sector. With all these rumours and reports circulating around I must say that in my 15 years of adulthood and countless trips to the PMH, I have never once been treated with disrespect, indignity or disregard. Human beings (well most of us) are like input output devices, simply put: treat me with respect and I return that favour. However, some patients, as well as visitors come to the PMH with their pre-conceived ideas that the staff at the PMH all has some sort of negativity controlling their daily deeds.
Recently I spent a few days at the PMH – Alford Ward to be precise, and not once was I made to feel ignored or disrespected .The nurses displayed a very high level of professionalism, team spirit and sympathy toward all the patients .Their consistency of operation has somewhat led me to believe that third party training in patient interaction was acquired. They’ve displayed an endless amount of patience, in dealing with both patients and visitors, who chose to be rowdy. Alford Ward is said to have the strictest of time schedules at the PMH. This modus operandi has paved the way for the ward to operate as a well oiled machine. Some visitors are left with no choice but to become irate and should be left with no one to blame but themselves. I must also add that if a timely mode of operation is what antagonizes visitors then the staff at Alford should keep up their good work by maintaining that schedule.
In closing I would like to emphasize that whenever we read or listen to negative reports about our PMH in our local media, please give some consideration to the thinly stretched staff that keeps it going. These reports should be condoned unless proven otherwise by you.
My sister in law was visting family in Dominica for 3 weeks and on one her last days was admitted to PMH with symptoms of a stroke. At first the symptoms were relatively mild, her left side was affected but she could speak to a degree. However, as any one can read in five minutes on the internet a stroke is ALWAYS severe and if not treated quickly is usually followed by another soon afterwards. Her husband flew out from UK 24 hours later to be with her and ensure she got the best care. On arrival it became very clear that insufficient care was being given to her. The primary problem was the arrogant attitude of Dr … who seemed to have no time for a visitor to the island from England (despite them being Dominican), she appeared to be very upset that anyone would dare question her in the situation and demand answers as anyone would expect. The outcome of this situaiton and Dr ….. arrogance is that Mrs Demacque died in Martinique hospital on Friday 12th March just over a week after the initial stroke. The reason for her death – too long between the initial stroke and action being taken to move her to Martinique. Dr ….. was nothing but obstructive and unhelpful with the insurance company who were attempting to pay for the correct care and movement of Mrs Demacque to Martinique. And had it been up to her she would have let her die in her bed. Dominica should be ashamed of the service provided to one of its own, someone who loved the island and its people and died before her time in the main due to the ego and arrogance of one of the islands supposed “top doctors” . Considering Dominica has a medical school on the island it deserves better from its doctors. Something must be done to challenge the attidue of Dr …. who seems to think herself above the law and above the needs of patients in her care.
To Mr X, if u knew the definition of accident and emergency you would not even talk bout your throat infection!! All Dominican who come to casualty think they are an emergency, flu for 10 days, pain in toe for one week, headache for a month!! What happen to your health center??? Some patients want to tell nurses how to do their work!!!! COME ON PEOPLE!! Why did the nurse go to nursing school if you can tell her what to do???Majority of Dominicans by pass their health centers and come to casualty because they say it is faster!!! In the event an EMERGENCY comes to the department and the ordinary ‘clinic’ is at a stand still, the nurses has no mercy from angry patients sitting outside, i have heard patients called nurses salop, illiterate…YES ILLITERATE!!! can you imagine someone calling a nurse illiterate and then a few minutes later to return to her with the casualty notes for the medication!! think of it, if a nurse is illiterate, how are you so sure you getting the correct medication seeing she cant read? They insult the nurses, curse them, diss the health care system yet they are there everyday. I think Dominicans need to be educated about health care!!!
They make noise about everything, visiting hours for example when the bell rings visiting hours is over , nurses have to beg visitors to leave the ward so they can continue their rounds and administer the care they are supposed to!!! Sometimes visitors get angry and say they not leaving, do you actually think your relative or friend going to get better if you dont allow them to rest and dont allow the nurses to give the prescribed patient care?? I could write for ever but I will stop here!!!
Some of think that a new building will change something. I don’t. These people work under stress having to deal with their own problmes and also our!; Encourage them so that they work in a better environ with some of us so ignorant beleiving that these nurses have miracles hands. They do their best so encourage them!!!
Congrats to the entire staff of PMH ! better you than me as I would never choose a job like this!
Over the years I have been to the PMH a number of times. I’ve had multiple surgeries (10 to be precise). I have never encountered any negative treatment from the nurses, admin staff, ward aids etc. To be critical of the only major medical facility would be wrong on my part. Granted that they work with limited resources, but they go all out in delivering that care that we need. Hats off to all who work at the PMH.
On another note, we need to educate the public on the importance and purpose of the casualty department and making use of their health districts. Too often persons go to that dept for medical attention that is unwarrented. Something that could have been treated by their District Medical Officer.
Instead of looking at criticism negatively, why doesn’t the hospital authorities look at it as an opportunity to improve?
You guys think Dominicans complain? You should try moving to North America. Although live is easier there, these people complain about EVERYTHING.
I have had very limited interaction with the PMH, but I remember asking a doctor who was treating my grandmother at the PMH about her prognosis and she looked at me as if I had 2 heads. She looked at me as if I patients and their families are not supposed to questions doctors.
this was one of the most thoughtful articles that i have seen in a very long time. truly we expect lapses, but from experience, i know that the staff at the PMH. REALLY GIVES ALOT
PMH might not be state of the art but they work with what they have, we get decent care and citizens aren’t stuck with ridiculous medical bills. Next time you go to the hospital, just say thank you to the people who care about their jobs and their patients:)
i sit in read in amazement at the negative commets thats given about pmh and i wonder why are some our people so wicked. we should be thankful for our hospital and give and help seek solution to help solve the problems that exsist there. i no our pmh is not perfect but i belive that they try there best to give good service.dont think that we get the worst service in the world because there are countrys that have far better hospitals and more staff than us but still u dont get any better service. example u go to the hospital on french st martin and u wite for hours to be treated although u go to the em room. i think it will be better to give the ways we see we can improve instead of being critical . thanks to those who give positive remarks
Firstly
There are many other mechanisms in place to deal with a “sore throat”. Though I may not be a medical professional but a sore throat sounds like a district health care issue at your respective health center thus leaving the staff at the Casualty to focus on real emergency issues!!
Secondly
You may not know (maybe lack of medical knowledge) but individuals that are brought to the casualty department at the PMH do their FIRST ASSESMENT just beyond that line at the front desk. It is therefore up to the nurses to asses and deal with them based on their current condition. Someone with a headache or tummy ache will not and should not be given priority over someone who has blood squirting from their arm, leg or neck or someone who has multiple fractures. THAT’S SIMPLE
I have been to the Casualty at PMH many times for myself, children, aged relatives, friends. I have also been a patient several times at the hospital and at hospitals overseas. I have always felt that the nurses in Dominica are very well trained, very courteous, have excellent bedside manner and are generally very nice. Of course there will be times when they are impatient and irritable – they are human and have their own problems, responsibilities and distractions. Imagine also how you would feel if you had to work with ungrateful patients and visitors everyday. I say, thank you to all the PMH staff – keep up the excellent work. I can only expect great things from you in the proposed new, well-equipped hospital.
Thanks for the recognition of us nurses!!!!
Finally we have someone who writes something good about the PMH. Though I’ve never been to that hospital I’ve heard different stories ,most negative . Maybe if we treat each other with respect and think of ways to help improve things instead of being too quick to criticize negatively I think we’d be better off
Not all true afew weeks ago I went in for surgery and got the wrong dosage of a medication due to the fact they had my name and age wrong. and many other mistake were mad thank God I was lucky i knew people in high place and the were looking out for me .PMH is long due for a over hauling from top to bottom it is high time the the PM of Dominica use his influence with China and Chavez for a state of the Art Hospital and stop bull sh.. with them
Good to know that you were made to feel comfortable at PMH. Hats off to the staff of Alford Ward and the entire hospital by extension.
Negative criticism only hinders progression. For those who are being so critical, I say join the TEAM (together everyone achieves more) and help Dominica move ahead in a positive direction.
WELL TRUST ME UP IN THAT HOSPITAL IS JUST A WASTE … I PRAY THAT I WILL NEVER BE HOSPITAILZED… I RECENTLY BROUGHT SOMOUNE TO THE PMH WITH WHAT WAS AN EMERGENCY AND TO GET THE INDIVIDUAL OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE WAITING ROOM SO THEY COULD SEE THE DOCTOR TOOK BOUT 10 MINS. THEN WHEN THE INDIVIDUAL WAS IN THEY JUST PLACE THE PERSON THERE AND LEFT THEM UNATTENDED … I WAS AMAZED… I THOUGHT WOW … ALL THIS IN THE PRESENCE OF A COWORKER…
ALSO I WENT TO THE PMH AT BOUT 10 AM BECAUSE MY THROAT WAS INFECTED AND THE STATEMENT FROM THE NURSE IS THAT I HAVE TO GO TO THE HEALTH CENTER IN THE GARDENS …. I MEAN WOW … IS THAT A HOSPITAL OR JUST ANOTHER JOKE ???
The health care systems in DA is a disgrace…And reading comments of how good the staffs are and how hard working they are is a positive feedback..But the places,PMH and the health center in the botanical Gardens is in need of serious reconstructions..The toilet have at times have no running water..It dirty and smells of urine…Smears of feces could be seen on walls…
I arrived with my mother at 8AM in hopes of seeing a doctor..we left the place till 2PM waiting and waiting…We never saw him..The nurses went on lunch break and never informed the peoples..
Recently my mother was hospitalized a the PMH…Im happy a family member,my sister was able to visit her and did her best to look after my mother.cause under the cares and negligence of these peoples,I fear for the worse…My mother would not make it out alive!!.They almost killed my mother!! Upon her release a doctor prescribe the wrong medications …She was rushed in again…Im just happy to say she is out and doing well…I pray hard to my God that she does not have to go back to this place…
Thanks, good for you sir. Those who criticise usually have not contributed anything.
I am happy that someone had a good experience at the PMH but I am disappointed that he was not brave enough to declare his name.
We tend to criticize the hospital and persons working there so much, that it is refreshing to know that there are people who really appreciate the hard work they are performing.
Hmm… Interesting.
To JJF, Sir/madam, I want to support you. Dominicans on a whole are always critical of anything Dominican. ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE SPENT ONE DAY OUT OF DOMINICA. Recently I was forced to answer a returnee at a shopping place. He stood in the line for about 5 minutes and all he did was criticise DA. I eventually asked him what contribution he had made? Where was he when Da needed nation builders. He ran away. So it does not surprise me when people criticise. They are the ones who have done nothing to build the country. I too had a pleasant experience at the hospital recently. God bless our nurses. God bless Da.
VERY INTERESTING Yet TRUE