May Pen Hospital warns public about transporting dead to hospitals

The Management of the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon has provided more details in the controversy over the death of 32 -year-old construction worker, Richard Lee, who was taken there Thursday.

In a statement, CEO Nadia Nunes said Lee did not die at the hospital but in a taxi which was transporting him to the facility.

Nunes is refuting claims of negligence by the man’s family who say that he was allowed to die on the grounds of the hospital without assistance.

Lee was taken to the hospital after being shot.

According to Nunes, upon arrival at the hospital the man was assessed by emergency medical personnel who said he died on his way to the hospital.

The hospital CEO says after the injured man was pronounced dead, the other occupants of the taxi removed him from the car and placed the body on the corridor of the hospital. 

Nunes says this is an unfortunate occurrence and the hospital is appealing to the public, particularly drivers, to exercise caution when they are helping people in need of medical assistance.

She says where someone dies at a scene, as determined by a medical doctor, the body must remain in the location where the doctor made the pronouncement until the police have conducted their investigations and have given instructions regarding the deceased. 

She says removing the body hampers the work of the police and also causes additional trauma to relatives and medical staff.