By PETER GREEN
Nurses who were reported to have staged a sick-out on Friday, leading into the long weekend, have been assured that their issues are being taken care by the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA).
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr Tim Gopeesingh, and the Board and Chief Executive Officer, have acknowledged the concerns raised by nursing staff regarding recent payments related to overtime and pool assignments. The Authority also recognized the critical role nurses play in the delivery of healthcare services.
The Board and the CEO, in a media release on Saturday, have taken note of these issues and promise to deal with them in accordance with the law.
The Authority has advised that the Board and the CEO were recently made aware of a memorandum issued by the Office of the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO), dated February 10, 2023, which outlines the approved rates payable to pool nurses across established categories.
A subsequent review identified an inconsistency in the application of these rates at the NCRHA, whereby a uniform rate of $75.00 was being applied across categories, in contravention of the CPO’s directive.
The NCRHA CEO indicated that corrective action was taken to revert to authorized CPO rates, in keeping with established policy and legal requirements.
The NCRHA noted that other Regional Health Authorities have been operating in accordance with the CPO’s directive, and that the NCRHA was the only Authority not adhering to the approved structure.
“It is therefore essential that the Authority ensures full alignment and compliance to avoid exposure to legal and governance risks, including the potential for the Board to be taken before the courts. It is to be noted that other Boards have been exposed to the legal process, given their failure to adhere to policy guidelines and directives.
The NCRHA noted that the resolution of this matter lies in negotiation with the CPO and remains committed to pursuing appropriate and lawful avenues for any further clarification and resolution.”
The release continued, “The NCRHA recognizes the impact that these adjustments may have, particularly where nurses may not receive what they would ordinarily expect monthly, given the role overtime plays in their overall earnings.
The Authority acknowledges that the current situation has caused concern among staff and wishes to assure that actions taken are not intended to disadvantage nurses, but to ensure that systems are managed in a manner that is fair, consistent and compliant with national guidelines.”
The NCRHA wishes to advise that the only outstanding pool claims are for the month of February 2026. This is currently being audited and will be processed for payments shortly.
The NCRHA has expressed sincere appreciation for the dedication, compassion and commitment of its nurses, many of whom continue to go above and beyond in the delivery of patient care during this period.
The Authority has noted that management and staff have always shared amicable relations, with the NCRHA remaining committed to maintaining respectful and constructive engagement during this period.
The Authority further acknowledged the continued support of other healthcare workers who have assisted in maintaining services and ensuring continuity of care for our patients, families and loved ones, and we look forward to continued support as we work together towards providing the best possible service delivery and healthcare experience for all.
