QEH pledges uninterrupted blood clinic care despite staff shortages

Faced with questions about gaps in specialist care, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) on Friday defended the continuity of services at its haematology clinic, noting that there has been no significant disturbance to patient treatment, even as it scrambles to fill key vacancies.

Officials acknowledged that the sudden resignation and retirement of senior doctors had led to some clinic cancellations in recent weeks, but they insisted no patients were turned away and treatment for those with blood cancers and other serious disorders has continued without major disruptions. 

“There has been some sensationalism out there,” said Chief Operations Officer at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Dr Christine Greenidge, in a press briefing at the QEH boardroom. 

“Our job is to make sure that information currently and accurately reflects the efforts to keep this vulnerable population as safe as possible and to ensure their treatments are of the highest quality.”

Haematology deals with blood diseases such as leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, anaemia, and haemophilia. 

Patients typically attend the QEH clinic three times a week – twice for treatment and once for monitoring and medication management.

“These patients are a very vulnerable population,” said Dr Greenidge. 

“Our goal is to keep them healthy and preserve their life status.”

The COO noted that the departures were unexpected, but swift steps were taken to avoid service gaps.

“Immediately, all efforts were focused on ensuring that the continuity of care would not miss a beat,” she said. 

“We ensured cross-coverage to meet the needs of this patient population, and our clinics have continued successively over the last three weeks.”

Officials revealed that the hospital is now in the final stages of hiring new haematologists, with Dr Greenidge stating that most of the recruits – including junior and consultant-level staff – are expected to be in place by the first or second week of August.

Acting Director of Medical Services Dr John Gill further confirmed the strain on the clinic, noting: “It is now well known that the haematology clinic has suffered some punctuations in its functions.

“We’ve had a few cancellations because of the retirement and resignation of the senior medical staff,” he added. 

Remaining doctors within the QEH, along with volunteers, have helped to keep the clinic running in the interim, said Dr Gill.

“I must commend those who volunteered and the Department of Medicine for readily assisting us to convene the clinic on a weekly basis,” he said.

The acting director told reporters that the QEH is also looking regionally, tapping into the University of the West Indies’ network for help. 

Two graduates of the UWI Mona’s postgraduate haematology programme have been interviewed for consultant roles, with one expected to begin work shortly. 

A retired specialist has also come on board temporarily.

QEH is additionally working to contract local private haematologists for specific cases, he said, adding that it remains open to referring patients overseas if necessary.

“Our aim is no one who requires specialist attention should go unserved,” said Dr Gill. 

“Where it’s within the hospital’s capacity to seek these services, either directly or by sending the patient abroad, that’s what will be done.” (SM)