‘Health Ministry visits but no issues recorded’

While officials from the Ministry of Health visited Surgical Solutions Inc. on several occasions over the past two years, the healthcare facility was never found to have contravened any regulations.

That is according to perioperative nurse Esther Maynard, who said no issues were ever reported, as far as she was aware.

Maynard, who has been employed at Surgical Solutions since 2019, gave that evidence when the Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Warren Mottley continued in the Supreme Court on Thursday.

She was one of the healthcare workers who monitored Mottley after surgery at Surgical Solutions in Warrens, St Michael in July 2021.

When asked by Coroner Magistrate Graveney Bannister if the Ministry of Health had ever visited the medical facility, Maynard said they had done so on three occasions during her time working there.

However, she said she was not aware of any complaints laid by the Ministry in relation to the operations at Surgical Solutions.

Maynard said while she could not remember the last time there was a visit, it would have been recorded.

“Since I’ve been there, I’ve seen the Ministry of Health about three times. They just show up, you never know when they are coming so I guess they just want to see if you are maintaining your standards,” she testified.

“On those occasions, did they point out any deficiencies or recommend anything to be done?” the Coroner asked.

“Not really. I think they were quite happy with what was being done,” the nurse responded.

Maynard said Surgical Solutions would only have a certificate to indicate that personnel from the Ministry of Health visited the facility and any other information required would have to be garnered from the Ministry.

The nurse recalled that she accompanied Mottley to the recovery room following his surgery on June 27, 2021.

She said during that time the patient was constantly monitored. According to Maynard, Mottley complained of pain and was given the recommended pain medication.

The nurse said she also went with Mottley on the ambulance from Surgical Solutions to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital along with a Dr Bhola, around 1:05 p.m. on June 28, after being asked to do so by Mottley’s mother.

Maynard said while she did not make any notes during the ride, she monitored Mottley’s condition closely.

She recalled that the ambulance arrived at the QEH around 1:20 p.m. and they were met by a doctor.