NCRHA Reforms Patient Escort and Hospital Attendant Services After Review Uncovers Alleged Gang Activity and Widespread Misconduct
核心洞察
The North Central Regional Health Authority (搜索) (NCRHA) launched reforms of its Patient Escort and Hospital Attendant Services after an internal review found reports of bullying, intimidation, extortion, threats, and alleged gang affiliation among employees.
Daily absenteeism reportedly ranged between 30 and 50 percent, with persistent late-coming, early departures, and refusal to transport patients, contributing to delays in patient transfers and, in some cases, ambulance operations.
Among 69 employees reviewed, only five had submitted the required Police Certificates of Good Character, and a significant number were hired without meeting stipulated qualifications.
The North Central Regional Health Authority (搜索) (NCRHA) has moved decisively to reform its Patient Escort and Hospital Attendant Services following an internal review that identified serious concerns over recruitment, attendance, discipline, and management oversight. The review found reports and allegations of bullying, intimidation, extortion, threats, and alleged gang affiliation among some employees within the two services, which together employ more than 400 people.
In a statement, the authority said it had inherited "an unacceptable breakdown in recruitment standards, accountability, discipline and management oversight under the previous administration." The NCRHA added: "The NCRHA is unequivocal: there is no place within the public healthcare system for gangsterism, intimidation, bullying, extortion or behaviour that threatens employees, compromises patients or interferes with the delivery of healthcare."
Scope of the Misconduct
The internal review documented a range of operational failures. Daily absenteeism was reportedly ranging between 30 and 50 percent, alongside persistent late-coming, employees leaving before the end of shifts, disobedience of legitimate instructions, and, in some cases, refusal to transport patients.
The NCRHA said these issues contributed to frequent delays in transferring patients between wards, diagnostic services, and other clinical areas and, in some instances, affected ambulance operations. "The consequences were felt directly by patients. Refusal or excessive delays in transporting patients affected movement between wards, diagnostic services and other clinical areas and contributed, in some instances, to delays in ambulance operations," the release stated.
The authority noted that the problems persisted despite the provision of additional resources, including wheelchairs and ambulances, which had previously been cited as reasons for delays in transporting patients.
Recruitment and Screening Failures
The review also raised concerns about recruitment and screening practices under the previous administration. According to the NCRHA, a significant number of employees had been hired without meeting stipulated qualifications for their positions and/or without submitting required documentation, including Police Certificates of Good Character.
Among one group of 69 employees reviewed, only five had submitted the required certificate. The NCRHA attributed these issues to the previous People's National Movement (PNM) administration, stating: "Serious allegations are being investigated in accordance with established procedures and, where wrongdoing is established, decisive action will be taken. The current administration inherited these problems; it did not create them. It will not allow them to continue."
Reform Measures and Early Results
The current board, Chief Executive Officer, and executive management have implemented measures to restore discipline and accountability. These include strengthened supervision, continuous training, proper rostering, closer monitoring of attendance, and increased management oversight.
The authority said several disciplinary matters are currently under investigation and appropriate action is being pursued in accordance with established procedures. It reported that the interventions are already producing results, with attendance improving and the time taken to transport patients between areas of the hospital being "drastically reduced." The NCRHA also said greater order, stability, and a sense of peace have been restored within the department.
The authority acknowledged the Patient Escorts and Hospital Attendants who continue to perform their duties professionally and provide support to patients and healthcare professionals. However, it reiterated that there is no place within the public healthcare system for gangsterism, intimidation, bullying, extortion, or any behaviour that threatens employees, compromises patient care, or interferes with healthcare delivery.
Nursing Impact and External Concerns
T&T National Nursing Association (搜索) (TTNNA) president Idi Stuart said the issues are not new, noting that nurses and midwives have long felt the effects when patient escorts and hospital attendants are unavailable for duty. "This directly affects nursing and midwifery personnel because when an escort or attendant is unavailable, the nurse is required to take up that slack. These are difficulties members of the public may not see on a daily basis, as nurses often step in to ensure patients are not negatively affected," Stuart said.
Stuart also questioned whether efforts by management to address questionable hiring practices could withstand political interference, and raised concerns about how disciplinary matters involving patient escorts and attendants would be managed given their union representation. Attempts to contact NCRHA chairman Dr Tim Gopeesingh for comment were unsuccessful up to press time.