GPHC responds to absurd statements

Jul 21, 2021 Letters

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Dear Editor,

The Administration of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is extremely perturbed by the absurd statements made by Mr. Ronald R.G. Cox in a recent Facebook post. In his post, Mr. Cox insinuates that the meals provided for patients, particularly maternal patients, does not constitute a balanced diet. Further, Mr. Cox makes menacing comments that question the competency of the staff at the GPHC. Mr. Cox’s callous action misrepresented the situation, was most irresponsible and demonstrated a lack of respect for the dedicated, committed and conscientious healthcare professionals at the GPHC. We wish to assure Mr. Cox and the general populace that although the GPHC, like most institutions, is faced with challenges and limitations, this institution boasts a cadre of the most talented and well-trained health care professionals who demonstrate the ability to provide the highest quality of care for patients. Concurrently, we acknowledge the need for continuous improvement at the Corporation, which is the foundation for our unceasing investment in training and education for all categories of staff. While we can appreciate Mr. Cox’s concern for his wife’s treatment and care at the institution, the administration rejects prejudicial, unsubstantiated, and malevolent statements about the performance of our dedicated and committed staff and the services we provide. We condemn in the strongest possible manner the insinuation that our interventions, including the preparation and provision of meals is not done with our patient’s best interest being considered. Indeed, it is quite disappointing that Mr. Cox, knowing his wife’s medical condition and knowing the conditions of similar patients, would not understand the treatment regimen and be so disapproving of the meal provided. All that was required was a simple query to the medical staff who would have provided the necessary clarification. Medical ethics prevent the Corporation from divulging the particulars of Mr. Cox’s wife’s medical management; however, we categorically state that all meals prepared by our dietary staff are guided by a team of trained and capable nutritionists who design appropriate meal plans based on the unique pathology of our patients. For instance, when managing patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes, provision is made for six (6) meals, which are dietetically calculated and prepared daily to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, while at the said time, keeping the patient satisfied.
The GPHC commits to providing three (3) main meals and three (3) snacks that constitute a healthy balance of all food groups. Additionally, patients receive nutritional education so that they are able to understand the importance of maintaining healthier food choices for disease management during and after their hospitalisation. The provision of quality care, including balanced diets, remains our top priority and this administration is proud to be able to provide our patients with the appropriate serving of fresh vegetables daily despite the limited availability of fresh produce occasioned by recent flooding. At the GPHC, we see our healthcare professionals providing care to hundreds of patients, daily, despite internal and external challenges that are often beyond our control. We commend their resilience and dedication to providing quality patient care, and their commitment to learning and improving in the interest of our patients. Mr. Cox notes in his post, the “nightmare revelations” of former patients at the Ocean View facility, a facility where almost 2,000 intensive care patients have been nursed back to health from the cusps of a deadly disease by an exceptional team of health care professionals, and have been able to return to their families. The few accounts of dissatisfaction that Mr. Cox exaggerates in his rant, have never gone unnoticed nor unattended by the Corporation. To date, numerous interventions have been made and continue to be made to enhance the quality of the food and services at the facility, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to make improvements in our patient’s best interest. Derogatory, false and unsubstantiated statements negatively affect the morale of our staff, particularly during the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, which presents unique challenges for patient care and management. While we remain open to constructive dialogue that will allow us to develop our health care services and facilities for the benefit of all citizens, this administration will not tolerate unwarranted attacks on our diligent staff. Consequently, as always, we encourage our patients, their relatives and visitors to utilise the available mechanisms at the hospital to record any complaint and/or grievances so that the necessary interventions can be made to improve our service delivery.

Chelauna Providence
Strategic Planning and Communications Manager
CEO’s Secretariat,
GPHC

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