Dear Editor,
On Thursday, May 21, 2015, my wife Joan slipped on an almond on a concrete walkway while going to breakfast at the Riu Palace Tropical Bay in Negril. We were staying there as guests for our son's wedding. Just over 50 guests attended, most of whom are Canadians.
When my wife fell, guests and workers came to her aid, and one of them called the nurse on duty. Our son, nephew and a worker helped Joan into a wheelchair until the nurse arrived.
She was then taken to the nurses' station where the nurse took her vital signs, cleaned her lacerations, and applied antibiotic cream. For this we paid US$30. The nurse called an ambulance and Joan was taken to MoBay Hope Medical Centre at Rose Hall, some 50 miles (80 km) away — a drive of about an hour and a half. The cost of the ambulance was US$800, which I paid upfront.
At MoBay Hope, an X-ray was done of her left knee, a CT scan was taken of her head, and we were told this revealed microscopic bleeding. Blood work was also done. A second CT scan, with contrast, of the head was done some time later and this revealed a concussion.
Because of the bleeding, we were told a neurosurgeon would be called and she might have to stay the night for observation, but first we had to make a downpayment of US$4,000. Up to this point my insurance company in Canada had authorised the earlier payments for MoBay Hope and the ambulance service. A lady from the billing department then told me that my insurance company had advised that to approve more would take 24 to 48 hours and she told me that for further checks to be done they needed the downpayment.
At this juncture, I spoke to our insurance company, and after all medical reports were forwarded to them approval for the downpayment was authorised. Neurosurgeon Dr Franz Pencle said my wife should stay overnight and he would go to see her the next day.
The following afternoon he examined her and discharged her, advising her to rest, look out for blurred vision, massive headaches and/or convulsions.
We had to be back and forth from Negril to Montego Bay for the two days. Although we feel that the management at Riu should have shown more concern, we wish to thank the workers, guests, friends, and family who helped, and of course all those at MoBay Hope, the doctors, nurses, assistants and porter Audley Linton who was most supportive and comforting.
What stands out, though, is that Negril, which attracts many tourists, needs a hospital or an equipped medical centre like MoBay Hope. The need for such an emergency care facility within that frequented area cannot be left without action. So much could have happened on the journey of an hour and a half.
And, how could almonds be on the pathway?
Harry Maragh
Toronto, Canada
harryandjoan93@gmail.com
Negril needs a hospital
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On Thursday, May 21, 2015, my wife Joan slipped on an almond on a concrete walkway while going to breakfast at the Riu Palace Tropical Bay in Negril. We were staying there as guests for our son's wedding. Just over 50 guests attended, most of whom are Canadians.
When my wife fell, guests and workers came to her aid, and one of them called the nurse on duty. Our son, nephew and a worker helped Joan into a wheelchair until the nurse arrived.
She was then taken to the nurses' station where the nurse took her vital signs, cleaned her lacerations, and applied antibiotic cream. For this we paid US$30. The nurse called an ambulance and Joan was taken to MoBay Hope Medical Centre at Rose Hall, some 50 miles (80 km) away — a drive of about an hour and a half. The cost of the ambulance was US$800, which I paid upfront.
At MoBay Hope, an X-ray was done of her left knee, a CT scan was taken of her head, and we were told this revealed microscopic bleeding. Blood work was also done. A second CT scan, with contrast, of the head was done some time later and this revealed a concussion.
Because of the bleeding, we were told a neurosurgeon would be called and she might have to stay the night for observation, but first we had to make a downpayment of US$4,000. Up to this point my insurance company in Canada had authorised the earlier payments for MoBay Hope and the ambulance service. A lady from the billing department then told me that my insurance company had advised that to approve more would take 24 to 48 hours and she told me that for further checks to be done they needed the downpayment.
At this juncture, I spoke to our insurance company, and after all medical reports were forwarded to them approval for the downpayment was authorised. Neurosurgeon Dr Franz Pencle said my wife should stay overnight and he would go to see her the next day.
The following afternoon he examined her and discharged her, advising her to rest, look out for blurred vision, massive headaches and/or convulsions.
We had to be back and forth from Negril to Montego Bay for the two days. Although we feel that the management at Riu should have shown more concern, we wish to thank the workers, guests, friends, and family who helped, and of course all those at MoBay Hope, the doctors, nurses, assistants and porter Audley Linton who was most supportive and comforting.
What stands out, though, is that Negril, which attracts many tourists, needs a hospital or an equipped medical centre like MoBay Hope. The need for such an emergency care facility within that frequented area cannot be left without action. So much could have happened on the journey of an hour and a half.
And, how could almonds be on the pathway?
Harry Maragh
Toronto, Canada
harryandjoan93@gmail.com
Negril needs a hospital
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