SEVERAL OF Jamaica's private hospitals have banded together to form the Jamaica Association of Private Hospitals (JAPH), as they struggle to keep down administrative costs which have threatened some with closure.
In a joint statement, the hospitals, among them the Medical Associates, Andrews Memorial, Nuttall and St. Joseph's hospitals, said that JAPH will "afford members a forum for sharing information on best practices used in each hospital, which can be implemented by all members for greater efficiency."
The release outlined that the private hospitals were experiencing financial difficulties.
Among its objectives, JAPH will allow its members to share diagnostic facilities to reduce emergency costs and with institutions currently without the required infrastructure.
JAPH members should also be able save money on hospital supplies and diagnostic equipment by "consolidating all orders", buying in bulk and avoiding duplication of services. The funds saved could be channeled into much needed areas, the release said.
The Association is also expected to represent the interests of private hospitals in negotiations with government for tax concessions and incentives granted to other sectors and as a lobby group, is it also hoping to campaign for concessions including the duty free importation of medical equipment, access to low interest funds for financing refurbishment of equipment currently being used.
Some of these hospitals have also had to contend with other problems in the past. In September 2000, for example, casualty officer, Dr. Leslie Toby and four doctors had co-signed the resignation letter, effectively shutting down Nuttall's Casualty Department.
The 24-hour service offered by the institution had been overseen by one full-time casualty officer, eight sessional doctors and 12 doctors on a reserve list.
Dr. Toby and the staff complained that the physical condition of the building made it difficult for doctors to offer the best patient care and also made patients uncomfortable. They also complained at the time about a decision to relocate the Casualty Department to Newington House while the old department was being refurbished.
They said that Newington House, a building on the hospital compound, was unsafe. These complaints along with other related issues, prompted the doctors to resign.
