PHA launches investigation into complaint after death at PMH

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Public Hospitals Authority has launched an investigation into a recent complaint that alleged negligence caused the death of a woman being treated at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

However, the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) did not specifically identify in a press release on Friday the complaint to which they referred.

The statement came after “Beyond the Headlines” host Shenique Miller alleged in an interview with The Tribune Thursday that she blamed PMH “negligence” for the death of her sister, Swanson Miller.

“This inquiry is one of several undertaken by the authority into allegations of similar nature that we continue to take seriously and are addressing consistent with internal policies and protocols,” the release said.

“Patient confidentiality protocols prevent the PHA from publicly disseminating the information of patients entrusted to our care. The PHA will share the outcome of our inquiry with the authorised family members upon completion. Patients and authorised representatives are encouraged to file official complaints with the PHA to initiate an investigation. The PMH/PHA is mandated by policy and law to investigate all matters brought to our attention.

“The inquiry and investigation process are automatic once a complaint is made verbally or in writing to medical staff, department heads or hospital administrators.”

The most notable social media complaint has been that of the well-known television host.

Asked Thursday if the family planned to take legal action against PMH, Ms Miller reserved comment, adding: “We observably have to see what the autopsy shows and we will as a family come together and make a decision that is best for all involved moving forward.”

Comments

Cobalt says...

Blah blah blah. How many times have we heard the useless phrase “an investigation has been launched”. And as usual, it goes nowhere. The very same people claiming to do the investigation are just as hapless, incompetent, and careless as the clinicians they’re investigating. The Bahamas is just another banana republic.

Posted 27 November 2021, 6:54 a.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

maybe she was unvaccinated, and one of your colleagues who shares your views decided to help with your publicly stated "*assist all unvaccinated who enter the hospital system to cross over the other side*" campaign

Posted 28 November 2021, 12:34 p.m. Suggest removal

annmon says...

this is not a Covid 19 related death even though reading Shenique Millers story one would get that impression that it is

Posted 29 November 2021, 2:47 p.m. Suggest removal

annmon says...

She was vaccinated.

Posted 29 November 2021, 2:55 p.m. Suggest removal

bahamianson says...

the fox is watching over the hen house. a promise is a comfort to a fool and that is exactly what we are, fools. This apparently goes on all day and night in that place. the only things they are concerned about are their raises, pensions and other benefits. Those are their primary concern. anything else is secondary and that includes smiling with the patients and treating them like humans.

Posted 27 November 2021, 7:54 a.m. Suggest removal

sheeprunner12 says...

You are cold ...... Do you think Bahamian professionals are that callous and uncaring? Add all professionals in with our doctors and nurses, then. You better go to Canada

Posted 27 November 2021, 9:03 a.m. Suggest removal

Cobalt says...

He’s telling the truth! Furthermore, your comments are foolish seeing that many Bahamian medical professionals do decide to move to Canada. And that’s why our healthcare system is in such a deplorable state.

Posted 27 November 2021, 3:48 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Yes. @Cobalt already said they'd let all unvaccinated under their care die. Shocking admission from a physician

Posted 28 November 2021, 12:35 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Was told it was a common practice on the night shift to turn off the lights and go to sleep. Had a relative beg for someone to stay with them because the nurses didnt look their way at night. You need to wake up to how bad the situation is. Not everyone in a white coat or a white dress is an angel of mercy. The good and the bad all look the same. Again, Dr Darville needs an objective system to assess and weed out the bad or retrain the trainable

Posted 28 November 2021, 12:39 p.m. Suggest removal

tribanon says...

It's kind of like a murderer saying to the family of his murder victim, "Don't worry I will investigate this alleged murder incident and may, possibly, much later report to you on why I think I'm innocent."

Posted 27 November 2021, 9:30 a.m. Suggest removal

quavaduff says...

Proper healthcare is one of those thing were "you get what you pay for" .... the Bahamas has always tried to do healthcare on the cheap and it shows.

Posted 28 November 2021, 11:25 a.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

_____ Sister, Swanson Miller is one of the Angels Singing In Heaven!!!
To Sister Swanson, **"Heaven Is Real."** ___

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9EVnOt…

Posted 28 November 2021, 3:22 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

THE Public Hospitals Authority has launched an investigation itself. **TOTAL NON_STARTER!**

Posted 28 November 2021, 6:39 p.m. Suggest removal

annmon says...

If they had treated her when she went in and not neglected her they would have no reason to be 'launching an investigation' at this time. If it were my family member I would not have let them discharge her in that condition and PMH staff should have known better. They would've had a different matter to deal with but NOT the death of my family member. They always want to rush people out because of their bed shortage. They built a whole new section of that hospital and they still don't have enough beds??? REALLY!!! What they need to do is turn those offices back in to rooms and operating theatres like they were intended to be...there is too much politics mixed up in that hospital and not enough concern and health care going on. When are they going to get it right??!!!

Posted 29 November 2021, 2:54 p.m. Suggest removal

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