President of the Trinidad and Tobago Registered Nurses Association (TTRNA) Idi Stuart is calling “All retired nurse managers and nursing personnel to put on their suits and come out to assist junior nurses.”
He made the call on Wednesday as the COVID19 patient count increased, placing a strain on the current resources.
Stuart suggested with the shortage of nurses, that government should consider asking for international help as T&T is experiencing a humanitarian crisis.
According to Stuart “It should not be about saving face but rather, saving lives.”
With the addition of 80 beds, courtesy two field hospitals donated by the US government, Stuart said these “would not bring much respite for citizens who are seeking care…as they would have been filled immediately by patients who had been awaiting admission from several hospitals across the country.”
He said the TTRNA had been approached to assist the authorities in the staffing of this area, however, he maintained “There is literally no nursing personnel available.”
Stuart said there were close to 500 student nurses that could be brought into the system almost immediately – but only if they are paid a stipend.
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