Manchester: ‘We can’t go beyond tomorrow’
SCORES OF people who visited the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) on Thursday were turned away and issued new appointment dates – some up to eight weeks later - after approximately 90 per cent of junior doctors failed to show up for work.
“I have been here from 7:30 this morning and it was when I get here I hear that the doctors not working and we won’t get through today,”said an elderly patient who has a heart condition.
Operations at the Manchester Health Centre were similar hobbled, as persons were seen leaving the facility in disappointment.
A patient who requested anonymity said that she would have to wait for a doctor to assess her X-ray results.
“I guess it is not so important, but it’s the price we pay for not being able to afford private healthcare,” the woman quipped.
Senior medical officer at Mandeville Regional, Dr Everton McIntosh, disclosed that only high-priority cases would be addressed until normality is returned.
The hospital went into emergency mode, with senior doctors holding the fort. Elective surgeries were suspended. The facility discharged as many persons as possible to ease the caseload.
McIntosh revealed that an extension of the sickout could cripple operations.
Mandeville Regional has approximately 24 consultants and close to 70 junior doctors.
“I don’t know what arrangements are being made between them and the Government, but we know we can’t go beyond tomorrow (Friday),” the senior medical officer said.
Regional director at the Southern Regional Heath Authority (SRHA), Michael Bent, confirmed that a number of private practitioners have since been called in to help with the workload at the Mandeville Regional and Percy Junor hospitals.
Twelve of the 16 junior doctors at Percy Junor did not turn up for work.
Chairman of the SRHA, Wayne Chen, said some hospitals have been affected more than others and a number of retired doctors have chipped in.