Chief doctor at UHWI to go to court for allegedly fighting colleague

The medical chief of staff and consultant neurosurgeon at The University Hospital of the West Indies, Dr Carl Bruce, was given a September trial date by the St Andrew Parish Court this morning for allegedly assaulting fellow consultant on hospital grounds.

A September 29 trial date was scheduled this morning after the complainant, Dr Roger Hunter, refused to go to mediation.

Both parties have been warned to refrain from posting about the case on social media.

Bruce, who is charged with malicious destruction of property and assault at common law, was bound over to return to court for trial.

The incident allegedly occurred on January 31, 2007, at the hospital.

Bruce is alleged to have physically, verbally, and emotionally abused the complainant on the day of the incident in the planning room of the operation theatre at the hospital.

Hunter is alleging that he was preparing for a surgery when Bruce barged in and shouted at him to get out.

Bruce reportedly advanced at the complainant, shoving him before grabbing his shirt and necktie, damaging both.

Both items are valued at $5,000.

The complainant said he then shoved Bruce away, who he said threatened repeatedly to spit in his face before leaving the room.

Hunter said he initially did not report the matter to the police as he thought it would have been dealt with internally.

He later reported the matter in November 2024, after his return to the island.

King Counsel Tom Tavares-Finson and attorney at law Danovan Williams are representing Bruce.

Attorney-at-law Kimani Brydson appeared for the hospital.

- Tanesha Mundle

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