The first Nursing Assistant Programme in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has been launched on Wednesday, December 22, when 46 students commenced their 18-month stint. They will be employed by the Health Ministry upon successful completion of the programme.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony speaking to the trainees
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, during the event, underscored that to be on top of the game in the medical sector, continuous studying is important.
“When a person comes to you, you want to make sure you’re offering that person the best advice. You want to make sure you have up-to-date information to give to people. The only way you will stay up-to-date is if you’re reading and constantly learning,” he charged.
As these persons commence their training, Dr Anthony said, it is not only about gaining knowledge, but also about lending support and compassion.
“Nursing is a profession where you have to be compassionate. Nursing is a profession where you will be meeting people when they’re at their most vulnerable point. They’re sick, and come to you for help. When they come to you for help, they need a sympathetic ear.”
Within the system, the Minister underscored, some health workers can be impolite, but that approach needs to be changed when dealing with the public.
“I think the right word would be to say they’re hoggish because of the way sometimes they deal with people. They’re rude! We can have the best improvements in the healthcare system. We can have the best buildings, equipment, everything; but if you got one person who got the wrong attitude and is hoggish to people, people would feel upset,” Dr Anthony reminded.
In cultivating better attitudes and behaviours among medical staffers, the Ministry is aiming to reduce complaints coming from patients in relation to poor treatment.
“We want a new set of people with a different attitude. We don’t want complaints that when people come to Suddie Hospital, or the new hospital that we’re building, that in the nights no nurse is responding to them. We don’t want those complaints.”
He added, “We want to hear that when you go there, despite the hour, if you have a challenge, the people will come and look after you. That’s what we want to hear, because that will make a big difference in terms of nursing care.”
In early December, Government adjusted the minimum salaries for nurse aides and patient care assistants upwards from $80,892 to $100,000. This represents an additional 23.6 per cent increase on the current minimum salary paid to each worker.
Meanwhile, the current minimum salary for nursing assistants has been adjusted upwards from $88,525 to $115,000. This represents an additional 29.9 per cent increase on the current minimum salary paid to a nursing assistant.
