Spencer

Minister of Health Rudyard Spencer is awaiting a report from the attorney general before deciding on the fate of Dr Dennis Pyne, a consultant vascular thoracic surgeon at the National Chest Hospital, who was interdicted last year, following several complaints.

Pyne, who has been registered with the Medical Council of Jamaica since August 8, 1971, has been at the centre of controversy since some doctors complained that the senior surgeon was charging patients for services at the public-health institution, even though the ministry had abolished user fees since April 1.

According to a damning report, made by a seven-member committee, established to review the operations of the National Chest Hospital, Pyne solicited public patients to become private ones, charged public patients private fees, and induced emotional trauma in some of these patients.

prompt action

The report also stated that there was at least one case where the patient was operated on but the subsequent histology suggested that the operation had been unnecessary.

"I don't want to prejudge what the attorney general will say, but as soon as I get the information from her, I will be acting," Spencer told reporters yesterday during a press conference held at the Ministry of Health's downtown Kingston offices.

When asked if the police would be called in, Spencer said he would have to await the attorney general's ruling.

Pyne is currently off the island and is receiving a quarter of his salary from the Ministry of Health. His contract expires next year.

Spencer said the report found that the South East Regional Health Authority had been weak and ineffective in monitoring and ensuring adherence to governance mechanisms, such as the Geographical Private Practice Privilege, which resulted in an abuse of the system.

To this end, the minister said he was suspending the practice where consultants are allowed to conduct private practice on the compound of the public hospital.

According to Chief Medical Officer in the Ministry of Health, Dr Sheila Campbell-Forrester, this was an incentive provided to consultants.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com

Other findings of the report

✓ Pyne used intimidatory tactics to convince public patients to be his private patients.

✓ Pyne altered a patient's diagnosis when it became clear that the patient could not afford the cost of his proposed surgical treatment.