Princess Margaret Hospital.
By MORGAN ADDERLEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
madderley@tribunemedia.net
“THE hospital was the worst I have ever been to,” is how a Canadian tourist described the Princess Margaret Hospital, after he and his fiancée were taken there following their involvement in a hit-and-run traffic accident.
“You would have to go there to see for yourself how horrible the conditions were,” Mr Millar told The Tribune. “I wouldn’t take my dog there, honestly.”
The couple’s complaints are the latest issues in the country’s ongoing healthcare crisis. Conditions at the public hospital have drawn public ire for decades. In recent months, senior doctors, junior doctors, and nurses have all taken industrial action for more pay.
In September, elective surgeries at PMH had to be postponed due to non-functioning air-conditioning units.
Days before Christmas, Shawn Millar, 51, and Jennifer Moore, 47, were driving a rental motorcycle down West Bay Street opposite Goodman’s Bay park when a driver of a black vehicle cut in front of them.
Both visitors were knocked onto the sidewalk. Mr Millar sustained injuries to his leg while Ms Moore experienced severe pain in her arm. With the help of a passerby, an ambulance was called and the couple was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital.
Aside from conditions, the couple’s other complaints included the fact that Mr Millar’s pain medication ended up in a “pool on the floor” after it was not set up properly. Ms Moore received no pain medication at all, and she was not given a lead apron covering during X-ray.
“Jennifer was told she may have a dislocated shoulder and I was told that my right lower leg may be broken,” Mr Millar said. “All of these injuries were not to be the case. I had a severe road rash and Jennifer had no obvious dislocation.”
“The hospital was the worst I have ever been to (in fact) we both signed ourselves out after six hours. The pain medication that I was supposed to receive was lying in a pool on the floor because one of the nurses didn’t connect it right.
“While Jennifer was waiting they brought in a young man who was shot four times and she had to see all this. That would never happen here in Canada.
“When we signed ourselves out my nurse was extremely rude, but the worst came from the paramedic who was in the room where Jennifer was.
“The paramedic started to yell at Jennifer and was telling her that we were rude and didn’t appreciate their help. If I ever talked to a (patient) like that I would be severely punished by my employer.
“They wanted to X ray my neck and gave me a rectal exam all unnecessary for the type of injury I had,” Mr Millar continued. “My leg was not broken and I knew that.”
Six hours into their stay at the hospital and after an argument with a nurse, Mr Millar was ready to leave.
“That’s when I had enough six hours in, no X-rays and I wasn’t going to expose myself to radiation for nothing, in fact they refused to give Jennifer a lead apron when they did her X ray.”
Mr Millar also said his fiancée was never given the pain medication she was supposed to receive. At this point, the couple decided to sign themselves out.
Mr Millar also alleged that during this ordeal, his fiancée’s bracelet was stolen from her bag at their resort.
“I have been to Nassau a bunch of times, however, because of what I experienced in regards to the driver who ran us off the road and didn’t stop to help, the horrible experience at the public hospital to the theft at our resort,” he said. “Very sad situation. This was our engagement trip and it turned out to be a nightmare.”
However, Mr Millar went on to say that he doesn’t “hold anything against the Bahamas” because of this less than ideal situation.
“I have to mention the good things! When the accident happened a very nice lady stopped as she witnessed everything and told the police what happened,” he said, although he could not recall her name.
“Then another lady by the name Dr Renee Peet stopped to provide medical support and she was amazing.
“So there are some great people there.”
Comments
tureanoj1984 5 years, 3 months ago
Giving them the benefit of doubt, they could be saying somewhat of the truth, our hospital does need alot of maintenance repairs and screening and teaching of employees.
stislez 5 years, 3 months ago
Alot? U can't be talking bout the same PMH! They need to demolish that place and build a new one. Pmh just like fox hill prison, they been round from corn days in the same state. Pmh had a upgrade per say to the front part on Shirley street but das only cuz that's the part tourist see when they pass.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 3 months ago
WHY WAS THIS REFERRED TO AS A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT??? THE EYE WITNESS SAID ,IN A TRIBUNE ARTICLE "the driver didn't touch them at all". Most likely the tourist was not an experienced moped rider, was spooked when the car crossed in front of him, wobbled a bit, collided with the sidewalk and lost control.
bahamas12345 5 years, 3 months ago
Did the tourist driving have a valid license to drive a scooter or motorcycle like yo need in the US
sucteeth 5 years, 3 months ago
you all are a bunch of idiots. we all know that monkeys cant drive in the bahamas. they on there phone texting putting on makeup rollin blunts and no care for anyone else.. this country is almost like haiti!!
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 3 months ago
Maybe you were brought up in a zoo where monkeys drive, but I've never seen one yet. Again, I wasn't there and unless you're the driver or the tourist you weren't there,"the eye witness said, "the driver didn't touch them at all" . This was not a "hit and run"
realitycheck242 5 years, 3 months ago
sucteeth is a racist. why go low and call people monkeys.
newcitizen 5 years, 3 months ago
Isn't that a question for the rental company?
DDK 5 years, 3 months ago
Strange the number of people defending the individual that caused the accident with no sympathy for the visitors. Hope that if these folks ever get in trouble while they are on vacation they get much better assistance and human kindness than these visitors to our shores.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 3 months ago
The EYE WITNESS defended the driver not me. I take offense because the Tribune reporter has access to a historical record where an eye witness told the police that the driver never made contact with the motorcycle. It's especially troubling given that it is such a serious charge against this country if it had happened. We don't need no help with bad news
tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 3 months ago
The way so many of the nurses (and quite a number of doctors) act at PMH is simply deplorable!
They truly are EXTREMELY rude and act as if your pain and illness is such an inconvenience for them. I had the misfortune of having to help an elderly family member who had to always have someone present with them at A & E and experienced this many times.
Service in The Bahamas in general is really terrible. Sad to say but from my experience it was mainly the foreign nurses and doctors who were more pleasant and definitely more professional.
For a service oriented country, we're just LOUSY at providing service. Everyone acts like everything they do is a favor and not their job. I also feel like in PMH they have become "immune" to pain and suffering. The basic human decency someone would show if they (in other circumstances) saw someone in pain has completely gone out the window! PMH is truly a national DISGRACE!
I support the workers getting the proper pay, but come on man... there needs to be balance. I feel like all of them need more training on how to conduct themselves as professionals regardless of the size of the patient's pocket book (because you meet these same doctors and nurses at Doctors Hospital and it's a different story).
DDK 5 years, 3 months ago
This problem was instilled when "majority rule" came into being and sadly reflects badly on us all, including those that are diligent in their service and friendly towards one another and our visitors.
geostorm 5 years, 3 months ago
so true! we stink at customer service... that's why I get so frustrated with these unions. They make so many demands, which in some cases are warranted but at the other end of the scale, the service and professionalism of its members are sub par.
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 3 months ago
Why should any of our parliamentarians care about conditions at PMH? If one of them or a member of their family get sick, they hop on a plane to a first class hospital in the U.S. all at the expense of Bahamian taxpayers. We taxpayers pay the outrageously high medical insurance premiums for their first class medical insurance coverage that lets them go to any hospital they choose in the U.S. So why should Minnis, Sands or any other MP or Senator give two hoots about the standard of healthcare in the Bahamas? LMAO
stoner 5 years, 3 months ago
I worked there in the mid seventies,Nassau that is and called for an ambulance to come to help.It was around 2:25pm when a passenger from a Cruise ship had a epileptic seizure in our office and needed medical attention.I left Nassau two years later and that ambulance never did show up.I assume, they got lost or could not find a driver to drive.I gave them specific directions at the time.Good luck if you ever get injured in that Country.
stoner 5 years, 3 months ago
There are a lot of good Bahamians like everywhere else on this planet of ours.Again, there are a lot of bad apples/mangoes in Nassau Town.Unfortunately,they are not good workers and maybe because of their training/education over the years by the British when it was a Colony. They are not well educated and not good workers.However, they sure as hell no khow to steal and then some.I have living proof.
ohdrap4 5 years, 3 months ago
tht is only news to the tourist, not to us.
bogart 5 years, 3 months ago
IS there any COMPLAINTS department in the Bahamas where pore ordinary Bahamians can complains to about bad medical service....???..where investigations can happen....persons punished.....even if seems ...they connected...have friends in places....??????...has there ever been any malpractice lawsuit...ever....????...if pore Bahamian taxpayer money can be used to fund scholorships for people to go off an become Doctors an join the elites.....then how come there seems to be noplace where pore Bahamians can complain to about bad medical service....that also include eye doctor seems to give friend bad glasses ...soon guarranteeing my friend goes back and pays more money....or queries on medication..??
DDK 5 years, 3 months ago
Ombudsman Office? Would be refreshing (if it could actually WORK in this country) and has been suggested countless times by countless persons. The suggestion seems to fall on deaf ears although some politicians give its establishment lip service from time to time.........
bogart 5 years, 3 months ago
YES...YES...you have it. There is basically no outlet for pore ordinary Bahamians.....an Foreigners too....so pent up dissatisfactions...unprescendented levels.....wiping out last party to be effective 4 seats only..... unresolved problems...injustices....just winds up having new govt elected ....every 5 years.....goes to common observation by many.....that Bahamian voters .....dont vote a political party in.. to power....they vote you out.....going on alternating govt for past ...20 years....????
Bonefishpete 5 years, 3 months ago
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 3 months ago
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, most Bahamians know the facts support the man's opinion. LMAO
sheeprunner12 5 years, 3 months ago
Wonder what would have been the Canadians' response ................. if that were two black Bahamians in the same situation visiting Ottowa, Toronto or Montreal???????
Maybe someone who has had that experience should post their story ........... Waiting.
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 3 months ago
Spoken like a true racist seeking discourse on racism after playing the race card. ROWL
joeblow 5 years, 3 months ago
The first and last sentences seems to sum up the visitors experiences quite well I think!
The_Oracle 5 years, 3 months ago
The scooter rental business is ridiculous in this day and age, terrible local drivers, crappy roads and traffic congestion coupled with tourists who rent scooters but haven't even been on a bicycle since childhood.(and who are mostly used to right hand traffic not left hand!) small electric vehicles (cars) are perfect for rentals and afford some bodily protection. Same with the open 4 wheelers being rented. Not meant for street use, high center of gravity. The enclosed open Car type are probably a bit safer.
sealice 5 years, 3 months ago
He got a rectal exam for a headache!!!! HHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Bahamians tell tourists to tell them something they aren't already acutely aware of!!!!
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