GREAT BAY:--- On July 12th 2013 a first audit of its kind was carried out at the Ambulance Department by the Inspectorate of Public Health who is responsible for the supervision of health care institutions including the Ambulance Department to safeguard the quality of care of the general population.
Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever wants to make it clear that the Inspectorate has to do their job and the Ambulance has to comply and work together to ensure the highest possible standard of care to the population of St. Maarten.
Based on some inconsistencies observed and the fact that the Ambulance Department did not have a medical advisor forming part of its team to supervise the medical actions of the ambulance nurses, the inspectorate of public health in anticipation of the inspection report considers it necessary to immediately take the following measure to prohibit execution of four reserved procedures being carried out by the ambulance nurses in absence of having a medical advisor on the team. The medical doctor plays a key role in the supervision and supervision possibilities of the nurse.
Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever upon being notified of the audit immediately called an emergency meeting with Secretary General Jorien Wuite and Ambulance Department Head Cylred Richardson, to discuss matters further. "We have been able to secure a medical advisor for the department, as a means to bring operations up to par at the Ambulance Department," said Minister De Weever.
The Ambulance Department to date has complied with the measure and the pre-condition set by the Inspectorate by presenting a plan of approach to strengthen the ambulance care and has also acquired the services of a medical doctor on the team as medical advisor.
On the basis of the plan of approach that was presented (plan van aanpak versterking ambulancezorg) including that of a medical advisor who will be able to check the ability of the ambulance personnel to perform restricted actions by testing and to ensure, the inspectorate has withdrawn three of its previous imposed measure.
Furthermore, a training plan to perform restricted actions by the ambulance nurses has been put in place for execution during this week in which the ambulance nurses will be tested on their ability to execute restricted actions in collaboration with a training coordinator and the medical advisor.