Public Defender willing to assist woman whose baby died after she gave birth unaided at Spanish Town Hospital

The Public Defender questioned whether protocols were followed in the treatment of Ms. Armstrong at the hospital.

"There has to be standards and the standards must be in keeping with the Charter of Rights that have already been set by the South East Regional Health Authority," she asserted.

She said it is ironic that Spanish Town Hospital has a high-dependency maternity unit but Ms Armstrong, based on her reports, was "allowed to suffer the most despicable levels of indignity."

Deputy Public Defender Victor Hemmings has suggested that an independent probe be conducted when cases similar to the current matter occur, instead of the hospitals in question investigating themselves.

The Public Defender said recommendations will be made on how to proceed with investigations into professional misconduct at hospitals.