Hospitals prepare the public for ‘restricted’ service

The North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) has advised that there would be no consultant/specialist services available at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital on weekends beginning today, and after 4 pm on weekdays due to an absence of senior doctors. Consultancy and specialist services have also been restricted at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) after 4 pm on weekdays and weekends. As a result, priority care would be given to the most urgent cases, however emergency service remains available. In a press advertisement, the NWRHA informed that patients requiring admission, emergency surgery or consultant/specialist services would be transferred to other health institutions.

In another release, the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA), responsible for the EWMSC, announced that a patient requiring admission and the service of a senior doctor, if not available, to be transferred to another health institution. Junior doctors could not admit patients. Senior doctors have decided to stop work overtime because they are dissatisfied with the pay package proposed by the RHAs. The Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) told Sunday Newsday discussions took place with doctors at Sangre Grande General Hospital. An official of the ERHA said doctors have acknowledged their moral responsibility to patients. However, she said in cases where emergency care is not available, the ERHA said patients would be transferred to another public institution or a private facility.