By LARA PICKFORD-GORDON Wednesday, September 1 2010

THE North-West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) is investigating a worker of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital Medical Social Work (MSW) Department who has been accused of defrauding patients seeking assistance with getting medical procedures done.

Newsday learnt that the worker’s action became known by chance on August 19, when a patient sought to get a receipt after giving the officer a sum of money.

The patient was under the impression that this was necessary for assistance to be given. The patient attempted to get a receipt from the officer and was told that receipts were not given. The patient then went to the quality control department where the patient was told there is no charge for services.

Based on this incident, checks were done with the worker’s other clients and it was found that other patients had given the worker money. They were asked to visit the MSW Department with copies of letters they received from the officer regarding their case.

In one instance, a patient died before getting the procedure for which money was paid to the hospital worker, and the patient’s relatives subsequently demanded reimbursement of the $3,000 paid.

Patients are referred to the MSW if they are in urgent need of particular medical procedures and cannot afford to pay for them at private institutions. The typical procedure is that a patient receives a referral letter to the MSW department from their doctor.

Newsday was told that after the patient’s situation is assessed by MSW officials, the patient may be asked to make a “contribution” toward the medical procedure. Money does not exchange hands at the hospital but the MSW writes to the funding agencies, the Medical Aid Committee of the Health Ministry or the Republic Trust and Asset Management, with the patient’s information, referring doctor, cost of the procedure and social history to justify the appeal for funding.

The information also indicates what the patient can afford to pay for if there are multiple procedures needed.

The patient is advised that the money they contribute should be deposited at the health facility where they are getting the procedure done.

Newsday learnt that the social worker was allegedly collecting cash from patients but preparing letters in which full financial coverage was claimed for their procedures. Patients were reportedly being told by the officer that if they did not make a contribution they would not get the procedures done.

Newsday was reliably informed that some patients refinanced loans and borrowed money in order to raise money towards making contributions.

Contacted about the report, acting Chief Executive Officer of the North-West Regional Health Authority Claudine Sheppard said the allegations were brought to the attention of the NWRHA last Thursday and a meeting took place with the worker on Monday. She said an investigation is currently underway. Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Cumberbatch said he received a verbal report on the issue and expects a written report from the NWRHA. “It’s an RHA employee they need to deal with it,” he said when asked about action being taken.