The National Horseracing Authority confirms that an investigation into Jockey J Samuel’s incident on 4 December 2015 at Greyville Racecourse, was conducted by the KwaZulu-Natal Stipendiary Board.
Background
Jarred Samuel
Following an incident in Race 4 at Greyville Racecourse on 4 December 2015, Jockey Jarred Samuel required medical attention and he was transported to hospital for further medical care.
Subsequent to this incident a number of allegations were made public by certain parties which brought into question the level of medical care which was afforded to Jockey Samuel, as well as the medical response times at the Course.
The National Horseracing Authority opened an investigation into these concerns and the KwaZulu-Natal Stipendiary Board’s findings are quoted hereunder:
Following the Jarred Samuel incident on 4 December 2015 at Greyville Racecourse and the public criticism which followed regarding the medical care afforded to him, an investigation was conducted by the KwaZulu-Natal Stipendiary Board. The Management of EMS and the Medical Doctor on duty were interviewed, as well as the NHA staff present at the scene.
The following points were noted:-
The ambulance never had to travel around the track again to get to Jockey Samuel. The ambulance stopped on the road alongside the patient and when Jockey Samuel was stabilized, the ambulance driver proceeded through the Golf Club car park, some 150 metres, to get onto the track in the pull up area. The Doctor on duty is summoned to any emergency by the Racing Operator’s Duty Manager. The Doctors bag remains in the Jockeys’ weighing room as this is where the Doctor is generally needed most on a race day and the Doctor also assists with the sample collection of the riders. Should the Doctor be called by the Duty Manager, the Doctor proceeds to the scene and the Duty Manager who remains in the Stipendiary Boardroom/ Greyville office, which are adjacent to the weighing room, takes the bag to the scene. The emergency team then advises the Duty Manager whether an additional ambulance should be called. In light of this long standing procedure, the point of the Doctor forgetting his bag is incorrect.
With regards to there not being the correct forms available due to the last form being used when a Handler was injured, it must be noted that Handlers when injured are treated in terms of Injured on Duty. These forms clearly differ from Jockeys’ forms who are covered under their own medical aid.
Gold Circle manages the rider’s medical aid nationally. No rider may participate in races in South Africa should he not be covered by medical aid, as well as the necessary insurances. As such, Gold Circle has a standing agreement with St Augustine’s Hospital and Entabeni Hospital (Greyville) and the Medi Clinic Hospital (Scottsville) where riders are treated under a guarantee by Gold Circle, thereby ensuring no delays.
Gold Circle Management together with the KwaZulu-Natal Stipendiary Board hold regular meetings with EMS to ensure that the standards for the ambulance and qualifications of the paramedics are maintained. The last such meeting was February 2015. Since that date the ambulance and paramedics have not changed.
Following a meeting on 11 December 2015 between the same parties, we are satisfied that as per the agreements in place, the ambulance is equipped to offer full advanced life support. Furthermore, that there is an advanced life support paramedic on duty at all race meetings.
In considering the detailed replies from the EMS and the Course Medical Officer, as well as from the NHA staff present on the scene, we are satisfied with the treatment afforded to Jockey Samuel.
One aspect of this incident that does raise concern is that too many by-standers/ members of the public were present at the scene. Gold Circle has been notified that in future stricter measures should be put in place to prevent members of the public hindering the efforts of the trained medical professionals.
