A 38-year-old man says he is feeling traumatized after being treated in what he described as an inhumane manner by some medical professionals at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).
Jeremy Hoyte said he will never forget the treatment on April 30 when personnel suspected he may have had COVID-19.
He was tested and the results came back negative.
“Later that morning after returning home (from A&E) I laid in bed staring at the roof traumautized by my experience, in total disbelief of the treatment I received at Barbados’ premier medical facility. Was this the norm at the QEH?
“Was I really told by a member of their staff to stay in a room in pain and allow my heart to stop and if they see fit the doctor would revive me? Or was it all from the fear of COVID-19, which I do not have?”
The young man said he was so angered and disturbed by the situation that he felt compelled to write a letter of complaint to Minister of Health and Wellness Lt Col Jeffrey Bostic, and copy it in the Executive Chairman of the QEH Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley’s Permanent Secretary Alies Jordan.
Hoyte said he received a response from Jordan who informed him that Prime Minister Mottley would like to speak to him about the matter.
However, Hoyte who told Barbados TODAY he had been tested for COVID-19 at Paragon on April 29 said he saw it necessary to share his experience because he believes there is a need for some of those in the A&E to change their attitude towards patients.
He said he was sent to Paragon by his family physician who was concerned about the headaches and uncontrollable severe shivering which made him feel weak and caused his muscles and joints to become very sore. Hoyte commended the officials at Paragon for the exemplary professional treatment they meted out to him when he went to be tested.
He said while awaiting the results which he was told he would receive the following morning, his condition worsened and the pain became unbearable. He said after calling around, his relatives eventually found a doctor who was willing to see him at her office.
After evaluating and assessing his symptoms, Hoyte said the doctor, who was dressed in personal protective equipment, was concerned about his condition and told him she would be unable to give diagnoses because his COVID-19 test results had not yet returned. He said the physician called the QEH and alerted care providers there that she would be sending him with a prepared letter.
He went to QEH accompanied by his aunt whom he said happens to be a permanent staff nurse at the hospital.
“Despite the content of the letter I was informed by the nurse that they are not dealing with COVID-19 patients. I told the nurse that I am not a COVID-19 patient and I was awaiting the results of my test but I was referred there by Dr Dottin who called ahead and made arrangements for me to be seen. After some debate amongst themselves, the letter was taken inside, I assume to the doctor on duty and my personal information and medical history was recorded on a form.
“My pressure and temperature were taken and I was asked to take a seat under a tent and advised to follow the necessary protocols. Approximately 30 minutes later I was directed inside by one of the nurses where I was greeted by Dr Roa. He introduced himself and took me straight to a room and explained that he would not be able to do anything to me until he received my results which he would try to get, but in the interim I would be quarantined in the room until the results were available,” he said.
Hoyte, who said he was in the room for hours with no one checking on him, also noted that when night came, the air-conditioning made him feel extremely cold and he began to shake vigorously to the point that the chair was shaking as well. He said his aunt gave him a blanket but that did not help the situation.
“It was now approximately 8 p.m. and still no medical personnel from the A&E department had returned to check on me. My heart felt like it would slow to stop and I was scared. I could take no more. I panicked and ran out of the room. My aunt hurried to me to enquire what was wrong and I explained what had happened. She advised me not to return to the room and to bring the chair out and sit directly in front of the door which I did.
“I took two paracetamol tablets I brought from home and sat in the chair until the shivering subsided. Unbelievably even to this point no one checked on me so they weren’t even aware of the attack. I stayed in the chair directly in front of the room as directed by my aunt and I continued to observe the necessary protocols.”
He said after sitting outside the room for about 25 minutes, a nurse approached him and inquired why he was not in the room and informed him that he was breaking protocol. He said the nurse insisted he returned to the room though he informed her that his body could not tolerate the cold.
Hoyte related that a male orderly also informed him and his aunt that they were breaking protocol and also warned them that they were putting others’ lives at risk.
“I asked him ‘sir what was I supposed to do, stay in the room and allow my heart to stop?’ he replied ‘yes stay in your room. It is protocol. If your heart stop the doctor would bring a machine and revive it’. I was so astonished and angered by his response.
“Did a trained employee of a medical facility just say this to me? That was the last straw. At age 38, I was reduced to tears. I was receiving no medical attention whatever. The staff was now verbally attacking me and it appeared that my COVID-19 results would not have been available until the following day.”
Hoyte said at this point, after consulting with his aunt, they decided it was time to leave QEH.
However, he said before they could leave, a nurse politely asked him to stay, and then eventually, around 9 p.m. a young lady who identified herself as Dr Drakes, in full protective attire approached him. He said the doctor apologized for what had taken place, administered an I.V, took samples of his blood and urine, and promised to have him relocated to a more comfortable setting.
Around 9:49 p.m. Hoyte got a call from a representative at the Ministry of Health informing him that his COVID-19 result was negative, as was confirmed by the same doctor who returned about 25 minutes after he received the call.
Hoyte said he received further tests that night, was diagnosed, received a prescription and was told to make arrangements to get home.
However, he said when someone arrived to take him home and he asked a nurse to take out the I.V, he again received an unprofessional response and had to wait for sometime before it was done.
“I therefore looked in the direction of the doctors’ area myself until I got the attention of Dr Drakes. I told her my brother was outside and she told me no problem that she will get a nurse to take out the I.V. Ten minutes later a second nurse came to take out the I.V. While she was taking it out, I realised that it was now 1 a.m. and I wouldn’t be able to get my prescription at that time.
“I therefore asked the nurse if she could ask Dr Drakes if it was possible to get something for the pain to get me through the night. The nurse replied, ‘I am on break and I take two minutes of my break to take out this I.V. and you telling me about Dr Drakes and medication?’ I said sorry madam and as she was finished I said thank you and I just left,” he said.
Noting that the concerns he raised were not a condemnation of hard-working dedicated members of the medical community, Hoyte said he believes the last thing a person under tremendous strain because of illness needs is to meet a care-giver who does not seem to care and who displays what he described as rude, insensitive and obnoxious behaviour.
“I am also most certain that if I had been a prominent member of society that the treatment would have been different. They would have donned their protective gear from the beginning, as Dr Drakes did and attended to me. Persons must still realize that other diseases have not stopped because we are in a pandemic. I could have died that night. This kind of treatment is unacceptable to any member of society regardless of ethnicity,” Hoyte said.
When Barbados TODAY contacted Bynoe-Sutherland for a comment she said the matter was being thoroughly investigated.
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Apart from the response of one orderly and the nurse on break I dont find his account of what transpired to be harrowing. I think that under the circumstances he received professional treatment. Staff were right in following protocol.
Leaves me to wonder what if a person like me who lives with comorbidities that present with COVID-19 like symptoms have to go to the QEH with a medical emergency…..hmmmm…..????
They say a story has 3 sides..i recall all the hullabaloo when a man claimed he had escaped from the morgue at the QEH..JUST SAYING!!
This kind of treatment is unacceptable by any medical professionals and especially those at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital!!! I’ve had my experience there and also it’s one I will never forget. I hope this will not fall on deaf ears, you people need to be a little more compassionate my God!!!
This is absurd, yes we get that the nurses and doctors snore under pressure being unstaffed and all but how dare you speak to a patient with such discord and disrespect. I am appalled by this and I thank GOD it wasn’t me because it wouldn’t be pretty. My good sir Mr. Hoyte, I do apologize for the level of treatment you received, thank GOD your results were negative and I wish you a speedy recovery. These nurses need training, I’m am sure if they were on the other side they wouldn’t appreciate that treatment.
This type of report is the reason why many Barbadians living abroad are reluctant to return to live in Barbados. We must be aware that no matter you job or career title, we are all in a service industry. From prime minister or president to maid and gardener we all serve clients. We are all human as well. Be kind.
This unprofessional treatment experienced meted out to Mr. Hoyte at the QEH is nothing new.
This is an institution with a reputation for rude and despicable unprofessional behavior towards the ordinary patient by some of its staff members going back years.
The bad overshadows the good at this institution. Sad but true.
The alleged treatment given to Mr Hoyte is way short of the professional mark. Having said that we hear persons calling for nurses and staff to be trained but it is my experience that no matter the level of training in Barbados or around the world there are those that never live up to the standards after they are employed.
Lots of this type of behavior is facilitated by union representation.
that’s why my return is MORE RELUCTANT THAN EVER!
I can imagine what you endured Mr Hoyte. My husband received deplorable care while in the A&E April 2019. I was sickened and saddened that such uncaring people were in a caring profession. This was then repeated when our niece was in, in November.
I understand they are busy, likely over worked. I worked in a busy ER/A&E where we saw 200 on a slow day and 300 on a busy day so I know being overburdened but that CAN’T be taken out on the patient, never-ever!
More people need to speak out about the system in Barbados.
When Covid shut the world down, we chose to stay in Canada related to our experiences at QEH.
Ummmm you got back ur results with in 24 hrs in Barbados? Oh wow! Well only that i want to comment on….
Years ago I had a similar incident at that hospital with my wife after spending the whole day at that place , the doctor gave her pills and told me that if she does improve bring her back , at about 7.30 pm that night she had a serious pain , the pain was so bad she could not stand up ,luckily I mentioned it to my brother who told me don’t take her back to the QEH , in those days the St Joseph hospital in Ashton hall in St Peter was operating and he suggested that I take her there which I did and as soon as I got there the nurse took her blood checked it in the lab and told me that it is an appendix which had begun to rupture , the incompetent doctors at the QEH never took her blood to check what the problem was, in the middle of the night DR Edgehill came out of his bed and did emergency surgery on her , so , MR Hoyte nothing has changed at that hospital.
The problem with the QEH is that they don’t get sued , if and when they get law suits coming at them regular things will change.If that had happened to my wife in 2020 I would have sued the QEH and its management for the money I had to pay the St Joseph hospital.
Bajans, it is time to stop talking and start suing the QEH and its management .
Joy– I quite agree– until worldwide black people accept whom they “” humans- born with choices and freedom–and a god given talent–when that talent is in public view– it has to be shared with respect- dignity to each human with diverse skin color.
I personally think it was unprofessional and inhuman to treat any that way some of the nurses are very unprofessional speaking from experiences
My 93 year old Father had to go to emergency at QEH on Saturday night around 10:30 pm and he appeared to be having a stroke – he had to sit on a chair until 5 am when a doctor finally saw him only to be told to go back out and Sit on the same chair until noon when another doctor finally saw him. I sat with him as well and witnessed no compassion for any of the sick people in the room including My Father. I understand the system is overwhelmed but a little compassion would have gone a long way. There appeared to be no “special “ treatment, all were equally treated badly. My Dad is Canadian and wants to get back to Canada ASAP after this incident as he lives in fear of going back there.
It’s sad. My question? . Are the visitors to the Barbados receive the same treatment?
It irks me to hear of such uncouth treatment meted out to this gentleman. I have had my share of rudeness from some (not all) staff at QEH.
As a trained Nurse I know that sometimes the job can be irritating, but we have been trained to grin and bear it at times. This Covid-19 virus has many under stress. Let’s hope it is just a passing fling. To the gentleman in question, I apologize for the awkward behavior. Stay safe.
One could agree that the staff there was trying to follow protocol, but the lack of professionalism, lack of humanity ad the disposition described here, is not nice. They have no right to treat anyone this way. I get that they weren’t sure if he was a victim of the COVID-19,but that’s no way to treat a human being. It should have taken hours for on rational thinking Dr, to see his discomfort and treat him like he mattered, and they would have been a reason she apologized for the behavior of the staff present. No excuse under the sun could suffice the treatment netted out. And as for a story having three sides, many have complained about ill treatment they’ve revieved prior to this pandemic, and most have fallen on deaf ears. To be feeling like you’re about to die, scared and no treatment is hard, and no one should have to feel that way. I applaud you speaking out about your dilemma and that you addressed the matter at a professional level.
@ David Hall who guarantee you that if your heart stop it will start again? I guess you have never been I’ll enough. Furthermore, there is zero tolerance for the 2 instances you endorse in any healthcare facility. You also missed the most important reason behind this account which is COVID-19 does not give the right for anyone to be neglected prompt health care!
I am English and my husband was taken to QEH in March and DIED. Terrible treatment,Security guard inside A and E an absolute Godzilla. So rude. She should not be in the job kept repeating only one person inside. No food, no drink, no IV. Two Nurses also bad tempered and rude. Pulling and pushing my husband. I could go on and on.
What ever happened to compassion and love of being a caretakers?
It’s not about the Corona virus, Cancer or Aids, It is to show compassion and respect for others despite his/her situation. If YOU are called to do a job, it should be done with the right attitude and diligence, especially as a healthcare worker. Leaving him alone without
medical attention is a lack
of morality. The principle here is to do your job and do it correctly.
It’s time that the government of Barbados do
Whatever happened to compassion and love of being a caretaker?
It’s not about the Coronavirus, Cancer, or Aids, It is to show compassion and respect for others despite his/her situation. If YOU are called to do a job, it should be done with the right attitude and assiduousness, especially as a healthcare worker. Leaving him deserted without medical attention is a lack of morality.
The principle here is to do your job and do it correctly.
It’s time that the administration of Barbados implements and enforces the right platform that healthcare workers should maintain.
From Note: https://goo.gl/ScG4Hc
This situation should be investigated promptly and the individuals discipline, it is a healthcare facility meaning that such behavior is unacceptable, health care is for everyone covid or no covid. Sorry you had to experience this folly.
The treatment this Gentleman received was very unprofessional and brought additional pain and stress to this patient. What he is saying is true facts. Took my mom and other family members there before while at home in the island and the disrespect that’s meted out to patients in the A&E is unsatisfactory conduct of Health care providers even before Covid-19 became a problem. God forbid I hope they start to do some cardiac testing on people who presents with symptoms of a pending illness or Cardiac arrest. This patient presented with classic suspicious signs of a serious problem and should have been placed on a cardiac monitor. Had an ECG and blood tests done as a baseline for continued treatment for what ever he was presenting with. I can just imagine how scared he was with no help and in pain. Patients need to be still treated weather negative or positive Covid-19. Heart, kidney, Asthmatic, COPD and other diseases and conditions are still there. Covid-19 is not the only focus in a hospital these days. I appreciate all the frontline workers who makes a difference in the lives of the people of Barbados you are doing a great job just stay focused and let your empathy shine forth. Thank you for your service.
The treatment at QEH is horrible. My mom was there from November 2019 until April 2020 when she passed. There were a few nice nurses dealing with her, but the majority were terrible. She was being fed by a tube and once she was propped up in a position that looked very uncomfortable. I spoke to the nurse about her position, and she replied to me in a very sarcastic manner “you can move her if you want to but she can develop a lung infection”. I reminded her that she was the professional here and I was merely seeking her advice. At that point she understood she was not dealing with a fool and then addressed here tone. My mom developed a bed sore that required dressing twice daily. There were days that it was not done.
The every day saga at the QEH seems to me that the work load for some is over whelming. The attitude of a lot of the staff left a lot be desired. Most of the staff in front of you and behind the scene on the phone need to take classes in customer care/relations. I also do believe that there must be a small “FEE” every time you visit the Hospital. Persons who can afford to pay a private Doctor must not go to the QEH just because it’s FREE.
I don’t doubt this man. I had a similar experience there since this covid situation. You don’t know til you have to go there .
I believe every word he said! Both myself and husband have been reduced to tears in A&E on more than 1 occasion. Not all but some of them need retraining in being tactful!
I must however must commend Dr. DRAKES, she is indeed a very personable and professional individual.
I am a mental health trained nurse trained in Barbados now living in Uk . I remember when nursing was noble profession a nurse was given respect because they care them self with pride especially in uniform but now it all about the money not care and they make patients feel as if they should be grateful that they caring for them on one of my annual leave home I heard the QEH as the abatoir
As a rule, the staff of QEH are very condescending. There is generally an attitude of indifference, particularly to certain patients. You are made to feel the full weight of the welfare mentality that pervades that institution. I understand the politics surrounding, overworked and underpaid, and the only real motivation is the money. So the patients receive the full brunt of barely concealed hostility. Cleverly hidden under the guise of professionalism. The job gets done, but the patient is made to feel terrible. So subtle is this behavior, that should you complain, your case in point seem invalid.
My comments in regarding this matter is as follows.
We are forgetting and overlooking the main facts.
1: As a nurse, doctor, or family member of such professionals would you like to encounter or be treated in such a manner?
2: Within a medical setting, those administering care to others, should provide empathy, understanding, compassion and exemplary treatment to all as expected when they were trained.
I know they are two sides to a story, given the facts and the statement given, what QEH
needs is a Patient Relation Division wher patients address their concerns when such treatment is given, also they should be able to report this to the College of Nurses Association ( don’t know if there is one in Barbados).
and a thorough investigation with some consequences involve.
Receiving a pay check is not all, showing dignity and respectful to others within the medical profession is a must.
I am by no means condoning disrespect or abuse or treats made by any patient as acceptable. If so please engage security to play their part, but no one or person suddenly decides to leave their home of abode to make a trip to Emergency without a reason.
So please Nurses as an national living abroad who works in a downtown trauma hospital show the patients you care, as if it was your own family member or even yourself who might present yourself to the Emerg or even an Emerg on your travels abroad hoping to receive emplary, caring staff and nurses to get you through the painful, trying time you might be encountering at the moment.
We are all human beings who need each other to lean on and just remember it might be my day today, could be yours tomorrow or a family member the next day.
Live, Love and Care for each other as our number can and may be called anytime.
This kind of treatment is unacceptable it does not matter what he has that’s the reason why we have PPE for it doesn’t matter how many side the truth has, you are dealing with humans not animals and nurses should know better if they were living in Canada or the US they would have no choice but that’s they behaviour from morning give thanks to God your are still alive stay safe
This kind of treatment has been going on before covid19. Please tell these people not to use it as an excuse for their bad behaviour. These people need to be reprimanded by having their license to practice suspended and then things will change.
This is perceived as one bad apple spoiled the whole bunch. The orderly was out of place, but nurse took two minutes to removed the iv access, she could have taken another two to enquired on the patiet’s behave and then take back the minutes after. Nusres are supposed to advocate for THEIR patients. I believed that there more good nurses than bad.
I understand the experience would be traumatic for the patient, however, at that time I can understand the health care providers panicking with a global pandemic where a lot of variables were unknown such as how contagiousness and how bad the virus can get.
For all anyone knew this patient could have infected and killed the entire hospital by just being there. From that perspective it would have been better to have him contained to the room until more was known. The nurses could have been warmer though but stand in the room.
I’m biased listening to this article because a few years ago, things may have changed, doubtful, I and my wife received terrible treatment at the QEH to the point that one of those waiting in the A&E said to me if you have the money go private. I had the money and left after 1 hour not being seen and found the doctors office the man recommended. We were in and out in less than an hour and she was better. At the time it was a visit to the island and I’ll never forget or forgive that hospital for the treatment or lack there we got for a pregnant woman in pain.
Needless to say every side does have a story to tell even the floor but in the end fear can lead to problems as well as anxiety and if you have a patient who is experiencing both something should be done to elevate it not leaving them hanging and taking medicine they brought with them.
I experienced a similar unacceptable lack of care at QEH last January. I brought a group of people from the USA for a mission work camp in Silver Sands. One of my more elderly women came down sick with what ended up being food poisoning. A local doctor visited her at our location and recommended she go to QEH. She was too sick to travel by car so an ambulance was called. She was taken to the emergency room Saturday night and placed in a bed in the ER bay. Very little attention and care was given to her through Monday morning while she just remained in her ER bed. She had diareha in the early hours of Monday. When mentioned to the ER staff, they said my wife would need to clean her up. My wife refused, saying that should be the staff’s responsibility. Finally we went out and bought adult pampers and toilet paper ourselves for her — unacceptable!
We felt quite ignored by the ER staff, even though there were plenty of them around. Monday night I got quite insistent to talk with a head nurse. She finally spoke with me, and shared that the doctor’s diagnosis of water on the heart and a bladder infection — no mention of food poisoning. She spent Saturday through Monday night in her ER bed before she was ever moved to a hospital room. She was finally released on Tuesday night. When she returned to the USA and visited her doctor, he said that her condition was clearly caused by food poisoning — totally misdiagnosed by the QEH ER staff. Our experience at the QEH was, likewise, very unsatisfactory! We expected much better medical care than this for our friend!
WOW! No wonder Barbados have to import medical professionals, hope you are feeling better Mr. Hoyte
The virus has nothing to do with the way people are treated in the QEH or Barbados period…There’s a lack of professionalism in Barbados buy those who assigned to deal with the public…And like JOY stated that’s one of the many reasons why Barbadians will not return home to live…And if they get sick while on vacation they will prefer to handle the discomfort until they return home…
I also had a dreadful experience at the QEH in March last year.
My husband was taken into QEH with severe pneumonia No IV no intravenous IV,no wash or food.
As for one guard on reception in A and E I can only describe her as Godzilla. So rude would not let me in with my son as only one person allowed. She should not be in her job.
Had my husband been home in England he would have survived. He died.
Ironically my Grandfather also died in the QEH in 1931 have docked in Barbados when shipping sugar from Barbados to Liverpool.
I hope it is not my turn in December when I return to the Island.
Last year I took an old lady there she along with another was sent to a ward around 10 pm. A young nurse greeted us this way “whoa duh send dem up hey fa? Hope dem could help dem self cause I ain’t doing nutting for dem” I wish those workers can be dismiss.
Barbadians are mostly kind to strangers and rude to their own. I seen it and I have experienced it too. It blows my mind thinking that I grew up in a place where people can be so backward. Especially in this day and age. I grew up in the country and even though people send messages through the air. They still knew how to act in certain settings. Some of these people working with the public need sending out to the fields away from humans. Or working on a pig farms feeding and cleaning up behind the hogs.Their haven’t improved any in English even though schooling is free. Cellphones are like walking, talking, teaching educational tools.Yet many young people sounds worse than some 100th year old uneducated people. Maybe if they would learn to write a full sentence and not text so much, they might be able to speak better.
It appears the Q.E.H administration has become insouciant and nonchalant about the needs and care of its patients and to an extent their relatives. Even the C.E.O has become unapproachable to answer urgent queries. Do these people forget that they work for us and that they are civil servants? The hospital is a government entity. We should be afforded proper medical treatment and an acknowledgement to our queries of malfeasance within the admin. Enogh is enough.