Psychiatrist resigns from Clarevue and service to the courts; attorney asks Cabinet how long replacement will take
In a cursory report in the Cabinet Notes of last Thursday, June 27, the
Executive said it “has agreed to the employment of a psychiatrist to replace
the outgoing doctor who resigned his post. That assignment will commence
shortly.”
This casual reference to the resignation of Dr. James A. King, former
psychiatrist at the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, follows not only his
resignation from that position – held for nearly two decades – but his
withdrawal of private services to the Magistrates Courts.
In the latter capacity, Dr. King assisted in the evaluation of accused persons
suspected to be “not of sound mind.” He would then submit reports that were
used to guide the presiding officer on referrals for professional help or
incarceration.
However, due to reported frustration with the system of payment, the
psychiatrist officially withdrew his services from the Courts since February 5
this year.
In mid-June, following a reportedly heated exchange with Attorney-General
Steadroy Benjamin on the matter, Dr. King is said to have advised him of his
decision to leave the government service, as well.
According to correspondence tendered, the departing doctor advised
Benjamin that the Courts had access to another psychiatrist, from a
neighbouring island, who had been used for evaluations for the High Court.
In the meantime, however, there are concerns about how long it will take the
Administration to fill the vacancy creates by Dr. King’s departure.
Not only are there outstanding evaluations for the Courts to consider, says one
attorney, but the mounting cases of mental illness, especially among the
youth, demand that the Government move swiftly to fill the vacancy.
“The cost of private mental-health services is already prohibitive for most
families,” he says, “making the need for such care at he public institution an
urgent necessity.”
Therefore, regarding the timeline given by the Cabinet, he asks, “How short is
‘shortly?’”
Clarevue has remained in the public eye for the past several years due to
protest action taken by its nursing and support staff over their safety and
conditions of work.
The spotlight was turned on the institution most recently when a young
female patient died under what are alleged to be suspicious circumstances.
Her family has since sought legal redress for her death.