Nursing shortage a big problem at GPHC - officials
Robbie Rambarran, CEO of Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, has stated that while 2023 saw numerous challenges, the hospital made significant strides in health care delivery. These challenges were not limited to staff shortage but included infrastructure (unavailability of beds) and supply chain issues such as delivery of the equipment.
The challenges faced with medical supplies is as a result of the hospital not having recovered fully from the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the major accomplishments in the area of patient health care, was the establishment of an office, with a 24-hour help desk designed for patients who might be unable to read and write.
The cost for joint replacement surgeries which can be as much as $200,000 was removed. In addition, the pathology lab benefitted from significant upgrades with specialized equipment that decreased the waiting period for diagnosis from 35 to 7 days. Regarding the long wait for patients at the emergency room at GPHC, it was explained that this was because the room only has 18 beds.
Director of Nursing Services, Leslyn Holder, stated that when the year began, the hospital had 896 nursing staff of which 116 were loaned from the Ministry of Health. The current staffing as of November is 881 staff nurses of which 148 are on loan from the Ministry of Health. Throughout the year there were 26 hires and 2 rehires and 146 resignations.
Some of the challenges as it relates to patient care include a decrease in daily staffing of various wards and units and as a result key components of care can be affected.
Director of Medical and Professional Services, Navindranauth Rambarran, remarked that the GPHC saw a significant increase in surgeries as well as the highest number of surgeries done where 12,495 were performed for the year thus far. The accident and emergency unit has treated more than 50,000 persons as of November, which is relatively high compared
to previous years.
The GPH has established five health centres, which include the Enmore Polyclinic, Industry, Kitty/Campbellville, and Festival City Polyclinic. The aim is to see the health centres offer services parallel to GPHC.
Head of the Accident and Emergency Unit, Zulfikar Bux, explained that the average waiting time is one hour and four minutes with the hospital experiencing a 40 per cent increase in patient load. The hospital continues to struggle with the significant decrease in nursing staff.
“Our biggest challenge is that having a 40% increase in patient load talks about the volume of work staff have to do and we are facing staff burnout. It is the department with the highest attrition rate. We have a big challenge with nursing shortage and I estimate that one of the nurses would do about three nurses’ duty and it is such a challenge that even doctors are doing nurses duties. Unfortunately, it is not an easy place to work, these are the people that are on their feet 24/7, 365. Most staff don’t take their lunch break so as to ensure that the patients’ needs are met”, he said.