The T&T Registered Nurses’ Association (TTRNA) cancelled its protest action scheduled for today in light of yesterday’s unrest and is advising nurses assigned to health facilities in “known hotspots” to stay away from work for their safety.
The TTRNA convened an emergency meeting and president Idi Stuart said the decision to temporarily hold off on their protest action.
“We know the membership would be disappointed but we cannot place our membership at risk in the city of Port-of-Spain in light of the unrest that is taking place,” he said.
Stuart said a decision was also taken to advise nursing staff are assigned to “known hotspot areas,” especially in the areas under the North Western Health Authority (NWRHA) and North Central Health Authority (NCRHA), to stay home.
“We are telling our members once you are assigned to those facilities, do not and under no circumstance go to work tomorrow at those health facilities. If you are in a position to make it to the head office of the North West Health Authority or the North Central, then make your way to the head office and let them reassign you to another location,” he said.
Stuart does not believe this move will compromise the country’s medical response to any injuries that could arise if the unrest continues today.
“Any major accident, injury, don’t go to the health facilities. They go to the hospitals and our members are operating there as normal,” he said.
Yesterday, health centres across the NWRHA were closed to protect staff, except for the Maraval and Woodbrook health centres whose operating hours were extended from 4 pm to 8 pm.
