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I AM the widow of the patient mentioned in last Friday's report ('Patient at NUH for brain scan falls to his death').
I would like to set the record right concerning the insensitive and irresponsible reference in the report that my husband 'had a history of mental illness'.
I wish to categorically refute any claim that my husband had a history of mental illness. Throughout his life, he had never been referred to, consulted or confined to any mental institution.
At a time of deep grief, my family had to endure added injury by having to explain to well-wishers that my husband never had a period of mental illness before or after he was admitted to the National University Hospital (NUH) voluntarily for a medical examination recently.
Given the report's prominence, I am extremely disturbed by the impact of this callous statement on the future image of my husband's family members, especially his children.
The Straits Times owes my husband and his family at least a prominent apology.
On the day my husband died, my family and I were told by NUH that he walked out of the room midway during a brain scan and threw himself out of the window.
Despite our disbelief and protest, no explanation or details were offered.
We were also discouraged from visiting the site where my husband reportedly fell. Reluctantly, we left the hospital with many doubts.
Imagine the shock and agony when my family read details of my husband's death in the newspaper two days later.
It is humiliating that his immediate family learnt these details not from his caregivers at NUH but from the newspaper, along with complete strangers who read the news the same day.
NUH could have been completely honest and forthcoming with us from the onset. NUH owes my husband and his family an apology.
Lastly, regardless of what was going through my husband's mind before his death, the report in the papers exposed a glaring lapse in procedures on patient security at NUH.
The actual circumstances of how and why my husband died will come to light at the Coroner's hearing. He should not have died in vain. The Ministry of Health should ensure that such an incident never happens again.
Chua Lay Tin (Madam)
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Editor's note
OUR report, which said The Straits Times understands that Mr David Low had a history of mental illness, was based on two sources. The reporter had tried to interview Mr Low's family, but they declined. We note what Madam Chua Lay Tin and the hospital now say, and apologise for the inaccuracy in the report which has added to the family's grief.
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NUH's reply:
NUH: It happened so suddenly, no one could prevent it
WE CONVEY again our deepest condolences to Madam Chua Lay Tin and her family on the demise of their loved one.
We have since met the family to address their queries and provided them with information about Mr David Low's medical treatment, the findings of our investigations, and the family is aware that we are assisting the police with their investigations.
On the day of the incident, we met Madam Chua and her family and our immediate focus was on extending emotional support to them.
Concurrently, we initiated investigations to obtain a detailed and accurate account of the incident. As this required some time, we informed the family that we would arrange a meeting to provide the details once our investigations were completed. We are sorry that we were not able to share the details sooner.
The hospital did not provide information to the media related to Mr Low's personal details, medical condition or details of the incident.
When the media approached us to verify the incident, we conveyed to the reporters the family's request not to run the story. The Straits Times reporter's interview with the unnamed cleaner in the article was not arranged by the hospital, nor was the information verified with us. We also wish to verify that Mr Low did not have a history of mental illness.
Madam Chua has raised concerns that the media report 'exposed a glaring lapse in procedures on patient security'.
We would like to emphasise that Mr Low was accompanied by a hospital staff member throughout the procedure. Staff and patients had also attempted to stop Mr Low. Unfortunately, they were unable to prevent the incident as it happened very suddenly and unexpectedly. We will continue to review our processes.
We recognise that this is a difficult time for the family and our priority is to continue helping and supporting them. We are also assisting other patients, visitors and staff who had witnessed the incident.
A special work group and a dedicated helpline have been set up following the incident to offer support and counselling for those affected. The helpline 9723-6433 will be available between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday, until Dec 17.
Noel Cheah
Acting Chief Executive Officer
National University Hospital
I would like to set the record right concerning the insensitive and irresponsible reference in the report that my husband 'had a history of mental illness'.
I wish to categorically refute any claim that my husband had a history of mental illness. Throughout his life, he had never been referred to, consulted or confined to any mental institution.
At a time of deep grief, my family had to endure added injury by having to explain to well-wishers that my husband never had a period of mental illness before or after he was admitted to the National University Hospital (NUH) voluntarily for a medical examination recently.
Given the report's prominence, I am extremely disturbed by the impact of this callous statement on the future image of my husband's family members, especially his children.
The Straits Times owes my husband and his family at least a prominent apology.
On the day my husband died, my family and I were told by NUH that he walked out of the room midway during a brain scan and threw himself out of the window.
Despite our disbelief and protest, no explanation or details were offered.
We were also discouraged from visiting the site where my husband reportedly fell. Reluctantly, we left the hospital with many doubts.
Imagine the shock and agony when my family read details of my husband's death in the newspaper two days later.
It is humiliating that his immediate family learnt these details not from his caregivers at NUH but from the newspaper, along with complete strangers who read the news the same day.
NUH could have been completely honest and forthcoming with us from the onset. NUH owes my husband and his family an apology.
Lastly, regardless of what was going through my husband's mind before his death, the report in the papers exposed a glaring lapse in procedures on patient security at NUH.
The actual circumstances of how and why my husband died will come to light at the Coroner's hearing. He should not have died in vain. The Ministry of Health should ensure that such an incident never happens again.
Chua Lay Tin (Madam)
-------------------------
Editor's note
OUR report, which said The Straits Times understands that Mr David Low had a history of mental illness, was based on two sources. The reporter had tried to interview Mr Low's family, but they declined. We note what Madam Chua Lay Tin and the hospital now say, and apologise for the inaccuracy in the report which has added to the family's grief.
---------------------------
NUH's reply:
NUH: It happened so suddenly, no one could prevent it
WE CONVEY again our deepest condolences to Madam Chua Lay Tin and her family on the demise of their loved one.
We have since met the family to address their queries and provided them with information about Mr David Low's medical treatment, the findings of our investigations, and the family is aware that we are assisting the police with their investigations.
On the day of the incident, we met Madam Chua and her family and our immediate focus was on extending emotional support to them.
Concurrently, we initiated investigations to obtain a detailed and accurate account of the incident. As this required some time, we informed the family that we would arrange a meeting to provide the details once our investigations were completed. We are sorry that we were not able to share the details sooner.
The hospital did not provide information to the media related to Mr Low's personal details, medical condition or details of the incident.
When the media approached us to verify the incident, we conveyed to the reporters the family's request not to run the story. The Straits Times reporter's interview with the unnamed cleaner in the article was not arranged by the hospital, nor was the information verified with us. We also wish to verify that Mr Low did not have a history of mental illness.
Madam Chua has raised concerns that the media report 'exposed a glaring lapse in procedures on patient security'.
We would like to emphasise that Mr Low was accompanied by a hospital staff member throughout the procedure. Staff and patients had also attempted to stop Mr Low. Unfortunately, they were unable to prevent the incident as it happened very suddenly and unexpectedly. We will continue to review our processes.
We recognise that this is a difficult time for the family and our priority is to continue helping and supporting them. We are also assisting other patients, visitors and staff who had witnessed the incident.
A special work group and a dedicated helpline have been set up following the incident to offer support and counselling for those affected. The helpline 9723-6433 will be available between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday, until Dec 17.
Noel Cheah
Acting Chief Executive Officer
National University Hospital
