...wants a public apology to clear the air
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, June 13. 2018 – DESPITE receiving a court judgement in his favour, Gynecologist, Dr. Dale Crawford is still up in arms over the lengthy delay in his hospital privileges being reinstated.
The medical doctor has been embroiled in a lengthy battle to have his name cleared after the Public Service Commission suspended him indefinitely after receiving numerous complaints in October 2014.
But, he moved to the court challenging the suspension, claiming that “he was denied his right to natural and his procedural fairness in contravention of Section 32 of the Public Service Act and of Section 6 of the Public Service Code of Discipline”.
Additionally, he challenged the decision of the PSC to recommend to the Governor-General that he be interdicted.
He sought a judicial review of the matter, and former High Court Judge, Justice Marlene Carter last year ruled in his favour.
Among other things, Justice Carter ruled that he is to receive a portion of his salary that was deducted during his interdiction from 9th March 2015, and the claimant is entitled to damages to be assessed, and to quash the decision of the Governor General acting on the recommendation of the PSC, to suspend the applicant with half pay.
However, during an interview with SKNVibes News yesterday, Dr. Crawford confirmed that six months after the ruling he is yet to be reinstated or receive any word from those in authority about his reinstatement.
The MD over the last four years has suffered losses and emotional trauma which continues to be a stain on his reputation.
“My reputation and character has been damaged severely because people are walking on the streets and are alluding to things that are not true. It has affected my reputation and me personally. It has affected me emotionally, socially, economically; and I have not been able to function in the capacity as a gynecologist for the last four years. I’ve been losing patients on almost a daily basis because patients would come and say to me that people tell them don’t come to me because ‘he is killing off people’,” Crawford said.
Asked whether he made contact with any official on the matter, the embattled doctor stressed that he sent several letters to those in authority, including members if the Public Service Commission, but to date has not received any formal word.
“I have written to the relevant authorities which said that they will get back to me at the end of February and this June. So, it seems as though it has gone on deaf ears…I wrote to the Public Service Commission and letters were copied to the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Health.”
With his patience growing wary, Dr. Crawford told this media house that he is hopeful of having the Bar Association or other non-governmental agencies place their voice in the matter.
Though he is currently working to rebuild the trust of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, he acknowledged that it will take time before it gets back to the previous level, but Dr. Crawford wants those who are responsible to issue a public apology on the matter – clearing the air.
