Ministry of Health releases Chest Hospital report
Published:Friday | February 13, 2009 | 1:18 PM
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is this afternoon expected to say how it will be addressing the findings of a probe into operations at the National Chest Hospital in St Andrew.
The Ministry has called a press conference for 2 p.m. at its King Street offices after the findings of the probe were leaked to the media yesterday.
In July last year, the ministry launched an investigation into the operations at the hospital after it was revealed that cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Dennis Pyne had been charging patients for medical services despite the abolition of user fees at public health facilities.
In addition there were concerns about inadequate equipment at the hospital’s operating theatre.
Dr. Pyne was sent on leave on July 14 last year.
The report of the seven member investigative team led by attorney at
law Charles Piper was presented to the Health Minister Ruddy Spencer in late November.
However on at least three occasions the ministry has postponed its release of the findings.
The opposition had also questioned the delay in the release of the committee’s findings and recommendations which are expected to have far reaching implications for the health sector`.
The investigative team comprised representatives of the health sector including the Medical Association, Nurses Association of Jamaica and South East Regional Health Authority.