- CLAUDINE HOUSEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, St. James, where 75-year-old Vilma McLaughlin died after she was reportedly refused a drug until it was paid for. Her family has instructed their lawyer to begin legal proceedings against the institution.Nagra Plunkett, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE FAMILY of 75-year-old Vilma McLaughlin, who died at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, St. James after she was reportedly refused a drug until it was paid for, has instructed their lawyer to begin legal proceedings against the institution.
"It's not about the money, it's the principle of the matter," her grandson, Brian Smart said. "It hurts so much to know that 'Mums' was denied a drug that could have saved her life."
Mr. Smart sadly recalled watching the woman who raised him take her final breath on Sunday, March 5. This after a doctor allegedly refused to administer the medication until he had paid over $88,600.
"When I arrived at Cornwall Regional, I only had $36,000 in my pocket and there was no facility there to take electronic cards," Mr. Smart told Across the Nation. "I told them money was no problem, I would pay for the drug, but they insisted that I pay first before my grandmother got the drug."
He added: "I was told by members of the medical staff that persons had received the drug and not pay for it. Even after I called my uncle to get some money and paid for the prescription, there was difficulty getting someone to take the drug to her."
FURTHER DELAYS
Mr. Smart said that, at that point, he searched and found the hospital pharmacy but there was a further delay as the pharmacist insisted on verifying that the drug was paid for in full.
The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) has however said in a statement that this action is not in keeping with the hospital's policy.
"Although the drug in question is not available in the public sector, Cornwall Regional Hospital has worked out a special arrangement with a private distributor to improve its access to the general public," the statement read. "To that extent, the drug in question has been made available to several patients who were unable to pay. This clearly supports the institution's and the Government's policy of not denying service regardless of ability to pay."
The WRHA said the hospital's management team had met with the family of the deceased, clearly outlined the circumstances, and was not willing to comment further at this time.
Mr. Smart noted that when he eventually got the medication it could not be administered to his grandmother, as her blood pressure level was low and an anaesthesiologist had to be called in.
Subsequently, Mrs. McLaughlin died.
In the meantime, the WRHA says it is willing to facilitate an independent medical review to determine the appropriateness of care that was administered to the deceased.
