Another dispute seems to be brewing at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) following a violent altercation last month between security and a man seeking medical attention.
Ryan Proverbs, a senior production worker, told THE NATION on Sunday that he was assaulted by a group of security personnel while waiting to see his doctor, which resulted in nine stitches to his head and steel support in his right hand as his thumb was broken in three places.
“On June 24, I went to the QEH to make a work-related enquiry, as I have been an outpatient since 2007.
“On my arrival around 12:10 p.m., I went to the outpatient section and approached a nursing assistant and asked her if I could speak to the doctor despite not being on the roster,” he said.
Proverbs, of Station Hill, St Michael, said he thought he had been given the go-ahead but when he attempted to locate the doctor he was told to return. He said he then stood for around 45 minutes until a chair was available, at which point he had a seat.
This was when the problem started.
“As soon as I sat, the nursing assistant told me, ‘Get up, those seats are for my patients’,” he said.
“So I got up but I started to think, ‘I’m a patient too, and a Bajan, so I had a right to sit’ and sat back down.
“She told me to get up again but I didn’t respond, so she called security.”
Proverbs said it appeared the nursing assistant did not realize he too was a patient as she had never asked him and he did not volunteer that information.
The security officer reasoned he was a troublemaker and went to get five other officers.
“One grabbed me and then five of them started to attack me, while the original guard watched. One used his handcuffs to hit me in the head.
“I struggled for 20 minutes. Then they placed the handcuffs on me after my head was tear ’way. The one who hit me was choking me even though I was in handcuffs. I was drenched in blood. I was in fear for my life,” he said.
Afterwards, Proverbs said he was shoved to the Accident & Emergency Department where he was treated for his wounds.
He said the police arrived later and he made a statement.
“I was treated like an animal. I plan to press charges and I am also suing the QEH. I wanted to come to the Press ever since but my lawyers advised otherwise until now. It is ridiculous this happened in the first place,” he said.
When contacted, QEH chief executive officer Dr Dexter James confirmed the incident.
He said he was aware of the situation and it was now a police investigation, adding the hospital was also conducting investigations.
