Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
GPHC launches investigation into death of seven-year-old
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday said that it has launched an internal investigation into the death of seven-year-old Quincy Jr. Softleigh, who died Friday at the hospital under controversial circumstances.
Quincy Jr. Softleigh
The boy’s mother, Natasha Softleigh, said Thursday evening that she left her son with an oxygen tube attached to his body, but when she returned early Friday morning she found the tube detached and the only explanation given by nurses was that they were “tidying up” and the tube probably slipped out.
The Hospital, in a statement said that “as per the usual standard” the hospital has launched an internal investigation, and that the medical and nursing teams are continuing their consultations. The patient’s chart is still being reviewed.
According to the hospital, upon completion of this investigation, an official report would be issued and the press will be briefed accordingly.”
The hospital reacted angrily to media reports of the boy’s death and accused the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News of unethical and irresponsible journalism.
Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Michael Khan, had told Kaieteur News Friday evening that a press release would be issued on Monday.
Yesterday, GPHC said: “It must be understood that sufficient details and pertinent facts about a particular incident must be garnered before any official comment could be issued to the press pertaining to any allegation which is leveled against the particular entity (GPHC); to do otherwise, for obvious reasons, is ill-advised.”
Quincy Softleigh died at the hospital Friday after spending 13 days there.
His mother, Natasha Softleigh, said that the child was admitted to the institution 14 days ago after he complained of back pains as a result of an injury he sustained while playing in the yard of his school, St Gabriel’s Primary.
On Thursday evening, Mrs Softleigh said that her son was doing fine. She said that an oxygen tube was attached to him, but when she returned Friday morning, she saw the tube was not attached. Softleigh said that when she spoke to the nurses they told her that they were “tidying up” up the boy and the tube must have come out.
‘How they could be ‘tidying up’ and the tube slipped out? It had to be they handle him rough,” the mother lamented.
It was about 15:30 hrs Friday afternoon that the nurse called Softleigh in to break the news to her that her son had died of “complications.”
The mother said that she was told by the doctor that the tube was removed from the boy around 03:00 hrs Friday.
A post mortem examination is expected to be done tomorrow.
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