The health minister said working conditions for Family Island nurses are “deplorable” and promised to do whatever it takes to bring them up to standard. Speaking at the Third Annual National Nurses’ Pinning Ceremony, he added that since taking up office a month ago, he had a first hand glimpse at the conditions they have had to endure for years.
“The condition in which those nurses have to work is not acceptable,” Dr Nottage said. “And I will see that it is changed because up there, they need help; whatever it takes.”
Dr Nottage then outlined some of the problems that nurses on the islands have to deal with such as lack of transportation and in some cases; there is only one nurse on hand to shoulder the burden of whatever medical situation might occur.
He promised the nurses that as minister of health, he will ensure that they work under the best conditions and have the necessary equipment readily available.
The National Nurses Recognition Committee in collaboration with the Nurses Association of the Bahamas, Ministry of Health, Public Hospitals Authority and Doctors Hospital hosted the event where nurses from across the country were recognized for their work.
Dr Nottage challenged the nurses to actively participate in various education activities to maintain international standards.
“Nursing is not static, but a dynamic profession,” he said. “In order to remain current and able to cope with the numerous challenges which you will encounter every day, it is imperative that you assume some responsibility for your ongoing education.”
The health minister then explained that this is crucial to maintaining international Safe Staffing Standards which incorporate the complexity of nursing activities and other technological and competency experience.
He advised the nurses that their accomplishment is no small feat as the entire country would be in trouble without them.
“Without nurses, the whole health care system in The Bahamas would collapse,” he said.
“You [nurses] have been willing to go well beyond your traditional roles and training to assume the administrative and technical responsibility for the system of health care. In my mind, nurses are responsible, largely, for the smooth running of the hospital wards; the clinics and polyclinics; the com-munity and home health services and for most routine medical and emergency services on the Family Islands.”
Almost 100 nurses representing Princess Margaret Hospital, Sandilands Rehabi-litation Centre, the Retired Nurses Guild, School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, Department of Public Health, Doctors Hospital, Nurses Association and Grand Bahama Health Services were honoured for their services to The Bahamas. Every two years, registered and trained clin-ical nurses participate in the National Nurse of the Year Competition and are honoured at the special ceremony.
By: IANTHIA SMITH, The Nassau Guardian
