Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment St. Clair Prince says his ministry is committed dealing with the issue of the transportation of the nation’s nurses on weekends, public holidays and late night shifts.
He says the ministry will soon start providing free transportation for these nurses, using the vehicles already available within the ministry.
“Government recognizes the extraordinary contribution of the nurses to healthcare delivery, and where there are communities where formal transportation services might either not be available or are insufficient, the ministry is committed and have chosen to fill the healthcare transportation in many ways; and chief among them are arranging for the provision of arranging for the transportation services, free of cost for nurses in need on weekend duties, nights and public holidays and we will begin this very soon.
We will use vehicles from within the Ministry of Health and workers/drivers who are off.” Minister Prince said.
He said this will be done particularly on public holidays, weekends and eventually extend the service to nurses working late night shifts also.
The Health Minister said special duties will be provided to nurses who work these shifts and that an effort will be made to have those who living closer to the hospital work these shifts.
Minister Prince gave the assurance that the Ministry of Health will continue to improve in this area.