By: Fabian Ledgister, Staff Reporter
Medication allegedly prescribed by a man pretending to be a doctor. - Fabian Ledgister
The police have arrested and charged a man that they say had been posing as a doctor and prescribing medication to patients.
The accused, Derrick Palmer, 42, of Cave Valley, St. Ann was charged with breaches of the Medical Act. The man, who was employed to the Mona Rehabilitation Centre as an enrolled assistant nurse, was held after one of his 'patients' fell ill after medication was prescribed to her.
Police claim that Palmer may have been deceiving many persons (mostly women), that he was a medical practitioner from 2005 and possibly even earlier. It is alleged that after introducing himself as Dr. Palmer, the accused usually told his victims that he worked and lived on the compound of the University Hospital.
Reports say that on June 17, 2005, one of his many female 'patients' told him she wasn't feeling well, after which he prescribed medication for her, including eyedrops, and tablets. She fell ill, but figured that she would have been worse without the so-called medication.
On September 6, 2005, the same woman received a dog bite, and after visiting Palmer, he instructed her to take off her pants, wherein he administered what he said was a tetanus shot, to her bare buttocks.
HOSPITAL VISIT
Again she fell ill, but this time decided to go to the hospital to inquire for him. Nobody knew of him, but a doctor advised her that a tetanus shot can only be given in the shoulder, and not on the buttocks. Accusations are that she later discovered that he was actually an enrolled nurse at the Mona Rehabilitation Centre. She went there and confronted him and told the police that he ran from her.
It is alleged that the matter would not have reached the police had Palmer not asked the victim to pay for his services after she recently requested some money that was owed by him.
"He owed her money, and when she pressed him for it, he said she needed to pay him for his services ... She then came to us and made a report," said the sub-officer in charge of crime at the Matilda's Corner police station, Detective Sergeant Quincy Sterling.
Palmer was subsequently slapped with three counts of Breaches of the Medical Act. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 27.
Police say that investigations indicate that numerous other persons, especially women, may have been treated by Palmer and they are asking the public to check their prescriptions.
"He posed a great danger for the public, and a lot of people could have fallen victim to him...the public needs to look out for these fake prescriptions that have no doctor registration number. All doctors must put their number on the prescription," explained Det. Sgt. Sterling.
When contacted, the Mona Rehabilitation Centre was not aware of Palmer's arrest, but after contacting police they confirmed the matter and said that swift action would be taken.
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