Shanique told the truth
Mother’s account of 2021 incident at Spanish Town Hospital ‘accurate’ – SERHA
Published:Friday | July 7, 2023 | 12:14 AMErica Virtue/Senior Gleaner Writer
SHANIQUE ARMSTRONG, the woman who accused the Spanish Town Hospital of callous indifference when she was forced to deliver her baby unassisted at the facility in May 2021, has been vindicated in death, following the conclusion of an investigation by the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA).
Armstrong died last January after a brief illness at the same facility.
Her baby died days after its birth.
Attorney General Derrick McKoy has also confirmed that a file on the matter is in the Office of the Attorney General, the principal legal office advising and representing the Government on legal proceedings.
Responding to questions from The Gleaner, SERHA, which has responsibility for the facility, said the young mother’s account of her ordeal was “accurate”.
“The hospital investigation found that Ms Armstrong’s account of the medical facts surrounding her case were accurate,” was SERHA’s response to whether the hospital’s investigation found the late Ms Armstrong’s account of what happened correct or incorrect.
Armstrong, who was 24 weeks’ pregnant, sought medical assistance for a recurring cough but went into pre-term labour. She delivered her baby without assistance from medical personnel and in the presence of strangers.
She delivered the baby while on a bed in the waiting area of the hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.
Armstrong gave a shocking account of what happened while she was at the hospital and charged that her cries for help went unanswered by hospital staff, including nurses, who said they were not trained to deliver babies.
Armstrong had also lost another daughter, at 32 weeks, the previous year.
SERHA’s response, under the signature of Regional Director Errol Greene, said: “There is documentary evidence that the patient received adequate nursing attention throughout the night. In addition, she also received appropriate obstetric care after the delivery of the baby.”
The Gleaner was told that Armstrong refused to speak with the individuals probing the incident as she was distraught following the hospital’s response that she received adequate care. The investigation was completed without any input from Armstrong, The Gleaner was told.
“Government has to settle this one. It was cruel and inhumane, don’t care what was happening. It should never have happened,” said a source connected to the sector.
Following the incident, which triggered disbelief and anger nationally, new protocols have been established at the hospital. Reorientation exercises are also in place, along with programmes aimed at better customer-service provision.
At least one nurse with midwifery training will operate in the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital.
“Resensitisation sessions have and continue to be had regarding compassionate delivery of care. The hospital continues to have monthly morbidity/mortality reviews regarding obstetrics,” Greene told The Gleaner.
The hospital will also be placing extra attention on the management of mothers in early pregnancy, versus late pregnancy, who turn up at A&E.
Additionally, Green says the hospital will “continue sensitisation of medical staff on the critical nature of non-clinical interventions in the management of their patients. This is particularly important when the situation involves emotionally charged problems such as end-of-life issues and life-changing diagnoses.”
Continuing, he said: “A formal instructional programme for training of medical officers and nurses in development of soft skills in line with Ministry of Health and Wellness’ compassionate care programme (will be added).”
The hospital has also committed to “continue the focus on compassionate and efficient customer service within the hospital through training and regular departmental audits for all categories of staff”, noted Greene, and consideration is also being given to providing the assistance “of a clinical psychologist to give patients emotional support”.
He said the findings of the investigation were forwarded to the legal team at the Ministry of Health and Wellness as per protocol.
Armstrong’s aunt, Victoria, told The Gleaner last year that her niece died of a broken heart. She said the young woman began experiencing panic attacks following the ordeal after losing two children.
Victoria could not be reached yesterday for comment.