Trinidade protests doctor’s appointment

In an April 6, 2005, letter sent on Friday to SWRHA’s general manager (human resources), Trinidade stated: "You continue to disregard and disrespect the office of the Medical Chief of Staff and this is shameful."

The issue arose over SWRHA’s appointment last week Friday of Dr Krishna Rampersadsingh as consultant of a unit in the hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OG) Department.

SWRHA overruled a February 23 recommendation by the hospital’s personnel and industrial relations officer II, for Dr Bernard Sieunarine to act as the consultant. Sieunarine, also a registrar, is junior to Rampersadsingh. The acting position was until yesterday.

Rampersadsingh is the most senior registrar in OG, and on Friday, SWRHA from Trinidade about his views on Rampersadsingh’s appointment. Trinidade wrote a letter in reply but, before it was delivered, SWRHA told Rampersadsingh on Friday that he had been appointed. A written notice was stuck in various places in the hospital of Dr Rampersadsingh’s acting consultant appointment.

Trinidade’s letter informed SWRHA that "clearly" it had made its decision about Rampersadsingh "before my reply to your previous correspondence and that of acting chief executive officer, was made." He asked, "Why then did you seek my opinion and input?"

Stating that the authority continued to disregard and disrespect his office, Trinidade also stated: "I sincerely hope the board and acting CEO take note of this gross breach of protocol and censure you for it (but I doubt it)." Trinidade copied his letter of protest to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health; Chairman of SWRHA Imtiaz Ahmad; acting CEO (SWRHA) Michael Harris; Executive Medical Director (SWRHA) Dr Albert Persad; and head of the OG Dr Jehan Ali.