A call for more support from authorities as healthcare workers battle burnout

Consultant Physicians Staff Association (CPSA) President Dr. Sabriquet Pinder-Butler said yesterday that with healthcare facilities stretched beyond capacity, this is the worst time for nurses to be out sick and called on the government to hold up its end of the bargain in effectively communicating with healthcare workers.

“It’s regrettable that it has happened at this time when we’re in a pandemic,” said Pinder-Butler, referencing a sick-out by nurses that reportedly saw more than 200 of them call in sick yesterday.

“I think it just requires the commitment of the government and the relevant governing bodies of either the PHA (Public Hospitals Authority) or the Department of Public Health or Ministry of Health to work along with the nursing union.”

She added, “That is extremely important, and so I feel that if we have better communication, which is something we have been asking for all along the way, and I think the Bahamian people have been asking for better communication as well with a lot of instances, we would not have these unfortunate things happening at this time.”

 The nurses union has taken issue with a newly imposed shift system that substantially changes their current work schedules and, according to union President Amancha Williams, is in violation of their industrial agreement.

Pinder-Butler spoke of the need for authorities to be more supportive of healthcare workers.

“We know that physicians are exhausted,” she said.

“We also know that nurses are experiencing burn out as well. They are tired. A lot of persons are on vacation; they have not been able to have leave. They’re also human beings and dealing with the other challenges that we have in our country. Their children are home from school and so it is unfortunate that we’re having to deal with it at this time.”

She added, “We also think it is crucial for our health government’s team to also be mindful of the sacrifices that the nurses and physicians have made and to engage us appropriately when you’re making certain changes to our working environment.”

PHA Managing Director Catherine Weech confirmed the nurses’ concerns are being addressed.

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/a-call-for-more-support-from-authorities-as-healthcare-workers-battle-burnout/