Grande Health Centre re-opens with guard on duty

The Sangre Grande Health Centre resumed service yesterday morning with an additional Maintenance, Training and Security Company Ltd guard on duty.

However, while staff was back on the job after two days off, the situation was not “back to normal” said a nurse at the facility. The promised police presence has not materialised. “They said they would get the police to pass by, that has not happened.” The health centre shut down last Wednesday after an irate man threatened to “shoot up” the facility because he did not receive immediate service.  He was attempting to see a dentist but did not arrive in time to get a number to queue up for service. The dental clinic was also seeing fewer people because the dentist had a meeting to attend. Nurses are also upset that the Primary Care Nurse Manager said staff would be transferred since they were “traumatised by the experience.” The nurse said this plan would be resisted and staff was “standing their ground.” She said staff is seeking a meeting with their union — the Public Services Association — on the issue.

Chief Executive Officer for the Eastern Regional Health Authority Essau Mohammed said “de-traumatisation” sessions took place last Thursday and Friday for staff. Although there was not a full attendance those who did attend benefited. He said another guard was hired and plain clothes and uniformed officers from Sangre Grande Police will intermittently visit the facility. Mohammed is also seeking to address concerns raised about overcrowding at the health centre. The ERHA is expecting a $65 million allocation in the new fiscal year for construction of a new facility and Sangre Grande Hospital. For the interim, Mohammed said options such as constructing an additional room or moving to a new building are being examined to deal with the congestion at the Centre. Senior officers from the Sangre Grande Police said based on information they received from the guard on duty the man who threatened staff did not have a gun. Investigations are continuing.