Groome-Duke to address nurses' plightSecretary for Health and Social Services Claudia Groome-Duke has heard and has given her word to address with urgency, the plight of several graduate nurses, who are yet to be employed since passing out last year April. Speaking via telephone to Tobago News last week Saturday Duke intoned that her word is all she has now. "I have lost my mother, my father and recently my husband, so all I have now is my word," declared Groome-Duke. "I have been in constant touch with some of these affected nurses. Last week, one of them even visited my office to complain about her plight," she revealed. "I have therefore organiSed a meeting with the Board of the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) to address this issue next Monday," she assured. Tobago News has been on the ball regarding the status of these graduate nurses, who were trained by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). They all received monthly stipends from the THA during their three-year training period. This subsistence ended when the nurses graduated from their training programme. Under great financial pressure, several of them were forced to take up temporary employment at hospitals in Trinidad. Some, however, who had heavy family commitments, remained in Tobago hoping to be interviewed and placed in health institutions in their homeland. The situation has become even more critical with reports that another batch of over 20 Tobago nurses graduated last December. A health professional told Tobago News that the entire administrative structure of the health system was in a total mess. "The nursing staff structure has been left un-resolved for some time now," disclosed the source. "We have a situation, where almost all of the senior nurses are in acting positions," the source added. The source also expressed grave reservations about a smooth transition of staff into the new hospital. "Many of us are fearful that the hospital would be fully equipped and ready for occupation soon while the administrative structure for a smooth transfer remains unresolved," lamented the source. |
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true bagonian said on Thursday, Feb 9 at 12:12 AM
many of the nurses in tobago need to show campassion, and learn how to deal with patients and their families. I would hope that their attitude change before they move into the new hospital, but, then again, that's asking for too much. As they say 'YOU CAN TAKE THE PIG OUT OF THE GUTTER, BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE THE GUTTER OUT OF THE PIG'.I hope that management would allow them to attend a course or two on public relations, and practice role play on good patient-nurse-family relatinships, because the nurses in T'go really lack the caring and empathy that one should posess. Well, when you talk about ignorance and hostility! that is them. you cannnot even ask a simple question. they will ignore you. But let them not forget, that every dog has its day,and a really bad dog will have two days sometimes. When people prayers are on them in a bad way, then they will know how it feels, either they or their generation will pay for how they treat vulnerable people.PLEASE CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE NURSES.
81091249TLC said on Tuesday, Feb 7 at 10:10 AM
Nursing is a caring profession , this vital element of caring , in my opinion is lacking with in the nursing members of this important profession in TnT, as a visitor I had the unfortunate exposure of SOME of the nurses true characters, mostly found in the nurses of colour ,they were rude and at times cruel in their the approach to patients and families, as a member of the nursing profession I was horrified ,it will continue to be so ,until some of these so called nurses develope a heart for the patients they are entrusted with,
80992416Concerned said on Monday, Feb 6 at 3:46 PM
HOBO ,I agree with you.Some of those nurses in Tobago are PIGS. They treat the sick people like garbage. If you do not have a status and you go to the hospital. Crapo smoke yuh pipe.
80960054To Desuperman said on Sunday, Feb 5 at 3:53 AM
Desuperman, it seems like you are attacking females here. Men go into this profession also, I wonder what they waste their money on? You would be surprise to what what the men are checking out on the internet while on duty.
80906262Desuperman said on Sunday, Feb 5 at 1:14 AM
I hope they treat with public with respect and genuine care. Too many people going into this job for the salary, then spend it on bleaching cream, hair and make up. Is to see them on the internet checking out fashion, while on duty.
80903896HOBO said on Saturday, Feb 4 at 2:05 PM
hope their training has improved
80886994Anonymous said on Friday, Feb 3 at 1:12 AM
Two steps forward nine steps backward as usual in Tobago
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