Death of four-year-old at GPHC...Mother suing hospital for negligence

Death of four-year-old at GPHC…Mother suing hospital for negligence

Jun 21, 2014 News

In what can be described as an unprecedented move, Nathalie Caseley has retained a lawyer in her quest to be

Nathalie Caseley wearing a T-shirt in memory of her son’s passing stands outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

compensated for the untimely demise of her four-year-old son, Jaden Mars, at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
This publication has been reliably informed that the 29-year-old woman has been able to retain Attorney-at-law, Nigel Hughes, to represent her as she pursues legal action against the GPHC and the Attorney General.
Hughes yesterday confirmed this development pointing out that “the deceased estate will be claiming exemplary damages for negligence to the tune of $40 million.”
Caseley, who has been very vocal in calling for justice to be served since the passing of her son on December 10 last year, earlier this week, staged a solo picketing exercise outside the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to amplify her distress.
Mars was admitted to the GPHC on December 4 last year to have his tongue sutured for a minor injury which he sustained when he fell at home and hit his mouth on a five-gallon bucket.
The child was initially taken to the East Ruimveldt Health Centre for medical attention but was transferred to the GPHC where as part of attempts to treat him, he was administered at least 50 milligrams of Ketamine intended to sedate him so that his tongue could be sutured. However, since the anaesthetic medicine was not effective in putting the child to sleep he was referred to the theatre to allow for controlled sedation.
The process should have taken about 15 minutes but it was not until one hour later that medical personnel emerged from the theatre to inform Caseley that her son’s “heart had crashed.”
He remained in an unconscious state until December 10, when he died, in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Caseley is convinced that “by no means, at all, my son should have ended up dead for the minor injury he sustained…I feel as though I’m now being pushed around and taken for granted in my quest for justice and closure.”
According to the woman, although she has been getting intermittent information regarding the progress of her son’s case from the Ministry of Health, she is yet to get word about disciplinary action although she was told that investigations just over a month ago were in its final stages. In fact, the woman has disclosed that she will not be able to find closure until the relevant personnel are disciplined for negligence.
A Ministry of Health Committee tasked with investigating the matter had recommended that three doctors and one nurse be disciplined.
The findings and recommendations of the Committee, this publication was told, were handed over to Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, who in turn referred same to the Medical and Nursing Councils to mete out the necessary actions. Thus far, this publication has been able to ascertain that the nurse involved in the matter has been sent home.
But according to Caseley, the Ministry is yet to update her on the current status of the matter, although she was given assurance that efforts will be made to keep her informed.
The woman, who is mother to two young children, disclosed that in her quest to get justice she has been unable to work, pointing out that “I cannot go on with my life as normal until I get closure.”
Caseley said her aim is also to ensure that another family does not endure a similar ordeal. “In my son’s memory I want change to come about at that public hospital,” the woman confided to this publication.