Philipsburg:--- The General Inspectorate of St. Maarten Mr. Earl Best presented the report on the investigation conducted between August 2011 to February 2012 at the offices of General Practitioners on St. Maarten. Best told reporters that the investigation focused on the quality of care that is provided on the island.Best said twenty general practitioners on St. Maarten were investigated by means of a questionnaire while they visited the offices of the General Practitioners to see exactly how they provide services to the community. Best said only one General Practitioner on the island did not participate in the investigation. A general finding shows that most of the practitioners provide their services professionally while they show extreme care for their patients. He further explained that the establishments were in proper hygienic conditions but some of them are not too accessible to disabled patients. General practitioners have to pay keen attention to how they care and use their medical devices as maintenance of these equipments is very poor.
The inspector general said that even though these practitioners are under two associations, communication regarding patients was very poor between general practitioners, specialists, and pharmacies. Best said he believes that the patient's files are very poorly kept except for those keeping their records digitally.
Another hindrance is the lack of services provided to patients after office hours. Best said that the general practitioners are not available after office hours and patients have to seek emergency care at the St. Maarten Medical Center. However, this practice will have to change.
Minister of Health Cornelius de Weever said that the report establishes a baseline for government. This report he said tells government where they are at and will help take them to where they want to go.
