Mt Hope CEO says killing unfortunate

The Chief Executive Officer of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) Charles Mitchell yesterday said the murder at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope was “really unfortunate” and the NCRHA and Missions International were collaborating to assist the family of murder victim Nicole Gibson with funeral arrangements.

Gibson, a worker of Missions International was murdered on Thursday in a washroom at the EWMSC.

In an interview yesterday, Mitchell said security at the Complex was beefed up with ten more guards yesterday. They were assigned to various locations including the south gate.

Mitchell met with President of the Public Services Association (PSA) Jennifer Baptiste-Primus at EWMSC for more than two hours discussing security at the facility yesterday. Following the murder the PSA had threatened a shutdown if the CEO did not meet with the PSA about security.

Mitchell maintained that the NCRHA has been responding to security concerns raised by staff and this has led to “patrols on wards, with security increased at a number of clinical areas.”

Mitchell said during the meeting information was shared with the union about the short and long term plans for security. He said increasing the guards was part of short-term security but the move was to “an electronic driven arrangement.” Mitchell said he wrote to workers about the provision of counselling individually or in groups. He said the Social Welfare Department has provided counselling to Gibson’s family and peers at Missions International.

Mitchell said the Board has mandated the preparation of a request for proposal for a consultant in hospital security. He said the request will also be posted on the Internet. The consultant will be expected to provide “a proper needs assessment” of the EWMSC.

Yvonne de Peiza, chairperson of the PSA EWMSC branch said another meeting on security will take place next Thursday at 2 pm. She said the PSA highlighted the need for security badges and a shuttle service for workers.

She said the number of guards were now more than 30 but these were still insufficient for the size of the facility.

De Peiza said there were 72 buildings on the Complex and the PSA drew attention to the need to increase security at several areas including the Priority Care Facilities and dental area.

De Peiza said staff had not been notified about conselling services although at the meeting Mitchell had promised to do so. Health Minister John Rahael’s silence has not gone unnnoticed. De Peiza said, “I am surprised the Minister has not commented. The least he could say is it is a tragic affair and things have been put in place for staff.”

She said Gibson was the Secretary of Dr Brian Lushington (the Director of Missions International in TT) who worked closely with the Ministry. Rahael when sent a question in Parliament yesterday, responded “no comment at this time.”