TTNNA warns patient care at risk amid standoff with NCRHA

2026-03-28 - 02:34

Senior Reporter otto.carrington@guardian.co.tt A growing standoff between the Trinidad and Tobago National Nurses Association (TTNNA) and leaders of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) has reached a boiling point, as nurses protest stagnant salaries, raise concerns about patient care and signal a major street demonstration on April 10th Speaking during a series of demonstrations at the Sangre Grande General Hospital yesterday, TTNNA president Idi Stuart said nurses and midwives remain on “2013 salaries in 2026,” warning that deteriorating conditions are now placing patients at risk. “What we are doing here today, and persons may not realise, is that nursing and midwifery personnel are one of a few groups still operating on 2013 salaries,” Stuart said. “That is 13-year-old salaries.” “We are not out here demanding the Government pay us today or tomorrow,” he added. “We want clear direction, clear directives on when the Minister of Finance will allocate funds.” Stuart painted a disturbing picture inside the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, citing severe staff shortages. “As we speak, nurses are operating in units so severely short-staffed that they have to leave patients unattended not because they want to, but because they simply cannot manage the numbers,” he said. “A nurse called me crying this morning. A patient died in the Accident and Emergency Department in the holding bay, and no one knew. “Nurses, five nurses had to see about 124 patients,” Stuart said. He went further, alleging that decisions at the highest level were compromising care. “It cannot be that you choose to save $15 rather than save the life of a patient,” Stuart said, directing criticism at NCRHA leadership, including the CEO A recent meeting with the union and the management, Stuart confirmed the dispute has now moved beyond protest action. In response, NCRHA chairman Dr Tim Gopeesingh dismissed the claims as baseless and inflammatory. “I’m not privy to the information. I will have to read or hear what is said,” Gopeesingh stated. “But if these statements are being made without evidence being given to the chairman, they are totally untrue. It is false. It is misleading and is designed to create mischief and mayhem.” He insisted the Authority remains committed to both patients and staff. “We are totally committed to the delivery of excellence in healthcare, and we are in full support of nursing staff,” he said. “We are always prepared to go beyond the call of duty to ensure nurses are protected, cared for and respected.” Gopeesingh rejected the allegation of a patient dying unnoticed. “We have over 200 patients with life-threatening issues daily in the adult emergency department and over 150 in paediatric,” he said. “We have at least 15 to 18 nurses, over 25 house officers and six consultants.” He acknowledged that the system is under pressure. “Some may have to stay longer because the hospital is overcrowded,” he said, noting ongoing challenges in finding beds for dozens of patients daily. The chairman also raised concerns about financial accountability within the system, pointing to what he described as significant expenditure on “pool nursing.” “We saw over 600 nurses participating in pool nursing,” he said. “Some were paid up to $80,000 over three months, and nearly $30,000 for one month, indicating extremely high hours worked.” He said the programme costs “over $3 million per month,” but no senior official has identified who is responsible for allocations. “What we are seeking is accountability in terms of expenditure of taxpayers’ money.” In a pointed critique, Gopeesingh suggested the dispute may be driven by union strategy. “The head of the TTNNA could say anything because he’s looking for members, he’s looking for a fight,” he said. “I am not prepared as chairman to engage in that.” Stuart, however, maintained that the protest is about more than wages. He also criticised Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe for what he described as silence. “He has not uttered a single word. He sits in Cabinet and has the ability to influence funding.” He added, “On April 10, the largest demonstration of nurses and midwives will take to the streets of Port of Spain. “When nurses hit the streets, bad things happen. April 10th will be a hell of a day.” Govt working with all healthcare professionals—Dr Bodoe Responding in Parliament to the nurses, Dr Lackram Bodoe stated that the Government is not aware of any impasse with nurses, nor of any escalating disputes. “This Government continues to work closely with all healthcare professionals, including nurses, to improve the quality of our healthcare services and the overall quality of life for our healthcare workers,” he said. Dr Bodoe took the opportunity to acknowledge the commitment of nursing personnel across the country. “I wish to thank our highly dedicated nurses for the services they provide to our citizens on a daily basis,” he said, emphasising their crucial role in the health system. The Minister’s comments come amid ongoing tensions over salaries and staffing with TTNNA. He said he was also aware of the protest at Sangre Grande General Hospital.