‘No court decision can erase the pain of losing a loved one’

THE University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), in acknowledging that last Friday’s judgement by the Supreme Court, which ordered it to pay millions following a medical negligence suit, “may cause concern among patients, families and the wider public”, has reaffirmed its commitment “to transparency, transformation, accountability and continuous improvement, ensuring that every opportunity to strengthen [its] systems contributes to safer, higher quality care”. In a statement issued to the media following the publication of the judgement in the Jamaica Observer Wednesday, the UHWI said “our thoughts remain with the family, whose loss is deeply tragic”. “We recognise that no court decision can erase the pain of losing a loved one, and we extend our sincere condolences,” the hospital said.

In the meantime, the entity said it has “in recent years taken significant steps to strengthen its clinical governance, patient safety and quality assurance systems, while investing in modern technology, digital transformation, staff development and enhanced multidisciplinary care and improved governance”. “These improvements reflect the hospital’s ongoing commitment to continuously strengthening the quality, safety and experience of care for every patient,” the UHWI said in the statement. At the same time, the UHWI’s legal officer Kimani Brydson said, “As is standard practice following a judgement of this nature, [the entity’s] attorneys are reviewing the court’s comprehensive written judgement”.

“As part of UHWI’s ongoing transformation and commitment to responsive, patient-centred care, we recently launched dedicated customer care channels, providing patients and their families with a direct way to ask questions, share feedback, raise concerns or make complaints. The customer care team can be reached via WhatsApp at 658-220-2907 or by e-mail at wecare@uhwi.gov.jm,” Brydson said. “Every day, UHWI’s physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and support teams care for thousands of Jamaicans, performing complex surgical and medical procedures, treating critically ill patients and helping many recover.

That responsibility is one we carry with humility and a steadfast commitment to continuously transforming and strengthening the quality and safety of the care we provide,” the UHWI said further. Supreme Court Justice Anne-Marie Nembhard, in handing down the judgement, sa…