Staff shortage affecting Port Morant Health Centre in St. Thomas

By Halshane Burke    

 

A shortage of critical staff at the Port Morant Health Centre has resulted in the St. Thomas Health Department redirecting residents to the Morant Bay Health Centre.

 

The Port Morant clinic was opened just two weeks ago.

 

Acting Medical Officer of Health in the St. Thomas Health Department, Dr. Dianne Jackson, said initiatives will have to be introduced to tackle the issue.

 

"But we hope that the communities can bear with us as we navigate our critical staff shortages. Staff attrition has been an ongoing years-long problem, not only in St. Thomas Health Services, but islandwide. But we recognise that staff will choose greener pastures, even though they are dedicated to their country," she admitted. 

 

"So we continue to have a continuous recruitment process, and advertising and interviewing of persons who apply for posts within the parish, and this includes our nursing staff. We do encourage persons to apply," said the health official.

 

She was addressing the recent monthly meeting of the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation.