PoS doctors get ‘on-call’ facility

In handing over the keys for the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) facility to hospital Medical Chief of Staff, Dr Winston Welch, acting Senior Vice President, Operations, Agatha Carrington, noted that "it was 30 years long in coming, perhaps more."

Welch said it was a major embarrassment to see the manner in which the on-call doctors lived at the institution, a situation which was clearly demonstrated during the 1990 attempted coup. Back then, he said, doctors in unimaginable numbers were forced to occupy the common room.

He said with the increase in crime an urgent response to the doctors call for additional space to rest was needed.

It was decided that when the common room was refurbished, an on-call facility would be provided.

The facilities cost approximately $200,000.

In accepting the keys, Carrington pointed out that her department had to ward off a number of threats from other persons seeking the space over the last three years.

She put the doctors on notice that there would be strict guidelines about use of the facility and advised, "it is not for long-term use or family accommodation," but rather for doctors on-call.

She apologised for not providing the facility earlier, but said it was a start and if doctors were comfortable they would no doubt provide a better service.

CEO of the NWRHA, Cynthia Carrington-Murray, also attended the ceremony.

Located near the Charlotte Street entrance of the hospital, where nurses were previously trained, the on-call facility has 26 rooms, a kitchen, washrooms and lounge area.