Medico Legal at Sint Eustatius (Netherlands)
In Sint Eustatius, a special Dutch Caribbean island, the medico-legal system integrates medical expertise with legal processes to ensure justice and public health. Here's an overview:
Medical Facilities
Queen Beatrix Medical Center
Location: Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius.
Services: Provides general medical care, including emergency services, with two qualified doctors available on-call 24/7.
Forensic and Medico-Legal Services
In Sint Eustatius, the approach to medico-legal procedures differs from that of the European Netherlands:
Medical Decision-Making at End of Life: Physicians can consult with independent SCEN (Support and Consultation on Euthanasia in the Netherlands) doctors for guidance on end-of-life decisions, including living wills, advance refusals of treatment, palliative sedation, or euthanasia.
SCEN Contact Information:
Death Investigations: Unlike the European Netherlands, Sint Eustatius does not employ a municipal coroner. Instead, physicians must contact the designated medical examiner appointed by the executive council. The process involves submitting a completed report form, relevant patient records, and a report from the consulted independent physician. The medical examiner then fills out the legally required form, discusses the case with the public prosecutor, and forwards the complete dossier to the relevant regional committee.
Emergency Services
Emergency Number: For immediate assistance, dial 912 to reach police, fire, and ambulance services, all coordinated through a central dispatch center.
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