Dr Trinidade threatens to sue

DOCTOR Austin Trinidade has threatened legal action if he is not reinstated in his job as Medical Chief of Staff at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Trinidade called on the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health to allow him to return to his job with immediate effect. If not, Trinidade has threatened to take legal action against the Ministry. Trinidade, who was sent on long leave (226 compensatory days) by the ministry which appointed Dr Anand Chatoorgoon to act in his place, sent a letter yesterday to Permanent Secretary Hamid 0’Brien. Following a letter from 0’Brien to Trinidade on Tuesday requesting he gave reasons why he should not proceed on leave immediately, Trinidade yesterday informed O’Brien that he did not wish to take leave "at this time."

Trinidade informed 0’Brien that the situation at the hospital was in a precarious "position" and it was impractical for the medical chief of staff to proceed on leave. Trinidade met with 0’Brien on Monday and discussed rumours and certain perceptions, that he (Trinidade) was supporting doctors in their current sick-out action. Chatoorgoon who had acted for Trinidade three weeks ago before his re-appointment this week, had openly criticised the doctors.