The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE family of critically ill patient Lamond Brice and the Public Hospitals Authority are at odds over whether the medical information needed for his transfer abroad has been provided, with the family warning that delays could jeopardise his chances of receiving potentially life-saving care while the hospital maintains its fulfilled its responsibilities.

In a statement released yesterday, Mr Brice’s aunt, Malaya Curry claimed repeated requests for his medical records to be released have so far been unsuccessful.

Relatives shared letters with the media sent to PMH officials requesting medical records and confirmation of his hospitalisation to passport renewal purposes.

Meanwhile, the 42-year-old patient remains in ICU with swollen legs, leaving the family increasingly concerned about his condition.

“This places the family at a standstill and in an extremely difficult position,” Mrs Curry said. “We cannot meaningfully pursue financing without knowing the anticipated cost of treatment and transfer, and we cannot obtain an accurate estimate without the necessary medical information being provided to the receiving institution.”

The PHA offered a different account yesterday, insisting it had complied with all the transfer-related requests, including submitting the required information and documentation to the receiving institution.

The PHA said it was waiting for the family to complete the next steps, but would continue to communicate, provide appropriate support and facilitate the process within its responsibilities.

The back and forth comes as the family seeks to have Mr Brice transferred to Jackson Health System in Miami, Florida, for further specialist assessment and treatment.

Mr Brice was admitted to PMH last month for surgery to remove what his family said doctors determined was a non-cancerous mass from his stomach.

The surgery initially appeared successful, but his condition deteriorated after he began vomiting and experiencing severe stomach pain.

The family claimed the operating surgeon admitted accidentally damaging a vein during an operation and later performed another surgery to address the complication.

However, those efforts proved unsuccessful. And nearly a month later, Mr Brice’s condition continues to deteriorate.

Ms Curry said the family’s immediate concern is preserving Mr Brice’s life.

She added that whatever questions may later arise concerning his treatment should not impede or delay efforts to secure further specialist assessment abroad.

“One week has now elapsed since the family’s written request. In the context of a critically ill patient, that passage of time is deeply concerning,” relatives said in a statement.

According to Ms Curry, the family began communicating with Jackson Health System on September 21 about Mr Brice’s case and was advised that certain medical records would be required to facilitate the transfer.

The family then contacted PMH to request the records and was directed to an employee handling Mr Brice’s case.

A meeting was held on September 28 with hospital representatives who told the family that PMH does not usually release patient records directly for transfer purposes, but instead communicates with the receiving hospital and its physicians.

The family claimed it was told the two hospitals were in communication, but said it was not provided with clear details about those discussions.

“Because the family remained uncertain as to the status of that process, two separate written inquiries were made to Jackson,” Ms Curry added.

However, on both occasions – September 23 and 28 –  Jackson reportedly told the family it had not received any medical records and still required an updated medical report before it could proceed with the proposed transfer.

The family said it respects established protocols governing patient confidentiality, but wants clarity on who at Jackson Health System PMH has been communicating with, what information has been sent, when it was sent and the current status of those discussions.

“The family is particularly concerned because Mr Brice’s medical condition remains serious,” the family said. “We have observed continuing changes in his condition, including significant swelling in his legs, which has understandably heightened the family’s anxiety regarding the passage of time.”

Ms Curry said the absence of necessary documentation is also affecting their ability to determine the costs associated with his care. Without that, she added, the family cannot determine the level of borrowing, fundraising, and other assistance needed for his airlift to the US.

“Respectfully, our family is not asking for preferential treatment,” the aunt added.

“We are simply asking that every reasonable effort be made to facilitate the medical evaluation and potential transfer of a critically ill Bahamian citizen while there remains an opportunity to seek further treatment.”

She appealed to PMH and the relevant authorities to move with haste to release the necessary information to Jackson, warning that “time is of the essence.”

The family said each day of uncertainty is another day they’re unable to finalise financial arrangements necessary for Mr Brice’s additional care.

PHA acknowledged the concerns and emotional strain surrounding Mr Brice’s care and proposed transfer, but said it remained committed to supporting him and his family throughout the process.