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An untenable nursing situation
Dear Editor,
Kindly permit us space to inform on a situation that has been observed and which is of much concern to the residents of Region Three.
The Health Department of Region Three Administration is having some practices that are in conflict with Public Service Ministry Rules and Regulations with regards to the employ of Nursing Staff at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
A Nurse Midwife, who was appointed less than one year ago as a Ward Sister at the hospital and is on Probation for one year is given preference to work strictly Night Duty. During the Day this staff is working full time at the National Insurance Scheme in Brickdam.
The following questions need to be answered:
Is the Regional Administration Health Department, the Public Service Ministry and the National Insurance Scheme aware of this situation?
Who supervises this Ward Sister?
How can a staff who is working full time at the Nation Insurance Scheme be allowed to work strictly on night Duty at the institution. (WDRH) which is her full time job?
What is the staff contribution to the Health Care Institution since she works eight (8) hours in the day and has to work at least another eight hours at nights?
Is this a new Practice in the Public Service since the change of Administration?
It shows clearly that the Nursing Administration of the WDRH, cares less about the quality of Nursing Care to patients when this practice is being allowed and encouraged for the personal gain of some and more so this Ward Sister in particular.
We therefore, are of the assumption that this staff “goes to work to sleep” so that she can perform optimally on her day job at the National Insurance Scheme.
We would be grateful for the Ministry of Public Health and the Chairman of the National Insurance Scheme to investigate and address this matter urgently and sanctions be taken by the Administrator and the personnel of the organisations who are responsible for this unethical, unprofessional, breach of labour laws, protocols and procedures in Nursing .
According to Labour Laws, Nursing personnel cannot work for extended hours; many times they will make mistakes which can endanger the lives of the patients to whom they are providing care.
If this practice is encouraged the institution by Senior Nurses, what will be done by the junior staff? The Nursing care which is provided to patients is appalling with the numerous complaints daily.
How can the Senior Nursing Officers at the Ministry of Public Health and the Minister of Health be silent on this type of practice?
Are we a caring people, or are we looking at our personal gain and sacrificing quality patient care in the process?
Much needs to be desired of the Practices of the Nursing Profession. Sanctions/ Disciplinary actions need to be taken with all the partners involved and continue to this type of uncaring attitude to us the citizens of this country and more so, at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) — Region #3.
Yours truly,
Shaline Singh for
(Group of Concerned Citizens)
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