By CAROL MATROO Thursday, April 3 2008

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Luke Marshall...

The doctor who mis-diagnosed two-year-old Luke Marshall with an ear infection instead of bacterial meningitis will know her fate next week after investigations are completed.

The female doctor was suspended after the toddler, who was treated for a build up of ear wax at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, died from the fatal infection on March 11.

Health Minister Jerry Narace said yesterday the doctor was suspended immediately after the child died. This, after hospital officials had said the doctor had not been suspended after a preliminary investigation was conducted last month.

Speaking during a news conference at the Ministry of Health head office, Port-of-Spain yesterday, Narace said the ministry had set up an expert committee, chaired by Chief Medical Officer Dr Rohit Doon to investigate the matter. The report is expected to be completed next week, he said. Doon is also expected to meet with all medical chiefs of staff to review all of their policies.

“We decided that we wanted to ensure that if someone was responsible, he or she would be held accountable and whatever the processes are, whatever is required, we will proceed in accordance with the laws, regulations and protocol,” Narace said.

The minister promised to keep the public informed on the findings and recommendations arising out of the report.

Luke was first taken to the complex on March 5 after he complained of pain in his ears. He also had a fever and was unable to stand up. Luke’s parents, Shawn and Cindy Marshall, were given Cerumol ear drops for the removal of ear wax and Ibugesic for the pain and fever.

Several days later, because the fever had not abated, Luke’s parents returned to the complex where a woman doctor prescribed Amoxil antibiotics. Cindy was advised the medication was too strong, and she should double check with the hospital.

However, Luke took a turn for the worse and his parents took him back to the hospital where he was hooked up to a life support machine in an effort to resuscitate him, but it was too late. He died just after 10 am on March 11.

Shawn said yesterday he had been unaware that the doctor had been suspended.

Shawn said he and his wife were supposed to meet with the quality control manager and other hospital officials yesterday, but the meeting had been postponed to today.

“They told us they had the report from the investigation, but then they told us it will be tomorrow instead,” Marshall said yesterday.

Asked how he felt about the doctor’s suspension, Marshall said it did little for him now, but hoped he and his family could get some kind of justice.

Legal advisor for the ministry Bhabie Roopchand said while doctors with private practices had medical insurance to protect themselves, the employer, in this case the State, is responsible for the actions of doctors within the public health system.

Roopchand said in Luke’s case, if the court found the doctor was liable, then it would mean that the State would be responsible for paying any judgement.

However, she noted that the State always has the prerogative, if the doctor was indeed negligent, to have the doctor reimburse the State.