CHAIRMAN of the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) Dr Tim Gopeesingh has dismissed claims by the Trinidad and Tobago National Nursing Association (TTNNA) of the implementation of an illegal four-hour shift system for nursing and midwifery personnel as 'false and misleading', Speaking with the Express via telephone yesterday, Gopeesingh said, 'At this moment, I prefer not to comment on repetitive, false and misleading statements.'

His comment came in response to a Facebook post by TTNNA president Idi Stuart, who claimed the NCRHA had begun altering the shifts of hundreds of nursing and midwifery personnel by introducing four-hour shifts without prior notice, consultation or agreement with the association or affected employees.

'The Trinidad and Tobago National Nursing Association is deeply concerned by yet another unprecedented action taken by the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA),' Stuart said. He said the decision came at a time when the authority continued to grapple with a severe shortage of nursing and midwifery personnel. 'Rather than implementing sustainable measures to recruit and retain staff, the NCRHA has progressively reduced the availability of extra-duty ('pool') shifts, leaving many units critically understaffed. Nurses are increasingly being placed in unsafe working environments, with some being pressured to work alone or in situations that fall below accepted standards of safe patient care.'