GPHC facing escalating nursing shortage, 700 more nurses needed for essential operations

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) continues to grapple with a severe shortage of nursing staff, with an alarming deficit of over 700 nurses.
In 2023, GPHC’s reported a nursing deceit of 600, of which 146 nurses resigned.
The hospital is working tirelessly to meet the healthcare demands of a growing population, and while this shortage has not raised concerns about the hospital’s capability to provide care, the positions must be filled if GPHC is to function effectively.
As of the end of November 2024, GPHC reported having 996 nursing staff across all levels of practice. However, this total is still far below what is required, especially considering the hospital’s increasing number of patients and the growing complexity of healthcare needs.
The number of Registered Nurses (RNs) dropped from 232 in 2023 to 212 at the end of November 2024, reflecting the ongoing challenges in staffing levels.
This was disclosed by the Director of Nursing Services, Dr Leslyn Holder during the hospital’s end of year presser held on Monday.

“As you already know, the Ministry of Health is currently training over 1,000 RNs, that is registered nurses, and approximately 800 nursing assistants, of which we are proud partners. That is, GPHC is a part of this training since we facilitate all the clinical rotations for nursing practice and specialty care”.
“We have also removed a lot of the non-nursing, or most of the non-nursing duties from nurses, so that we can concentrate, or nurses can concentrate more on care delivery. Nurses have also accessed BLS and other competency training in collaboration with Northwell Health. They have also been in continuing training with our own Institute of Health Science Education, IHSC, for BLS training, which every nurse should have,” Dr. Holder disclosed.
Nursing staff are essential at all levels, including nursing managers, staff nurses, midwives, nursing assistants, and patient care assistants.
In 2024, GPHC recorded a significant shortfall in direct nursing care. In the first quarter alone, the hospital reported 593 staff providing direct care at the bedside, a stark decline from 666 in the same period last year. Although the total number of nursing staff increased slightly in subsequent quarters, direct care numbers remained critical, highlighting the disproportionate demand on an overburdened workforce.
“For the first quarter, our grand total was 899, as against our first quarter last year of 885. Which is not a huge difference, really. For direct nursing care, as we refer to it, that is bedside care, first quarter, we had a total of 593 nursing staff, as against the first quarter last year of 666. And that is a significant number, a significant difference. For the second quarter, our grand total was 918, as against 860 for last year, same period. And direct care, direct nursing care at the bedside, this year we had a total of 623, as against last year, 616. For the third quarter, grand total, we have a total of 996, as against last year, same third quarter, of 852. For direct care, we had a total of 661, as against last year, 626,” she added.
GPHC is also dealing with overcrowded conditions. The hospital has a daily occupancy rate of 95 percent, and its Accident and Emergency Department is struggling with just 18 beds, an inadequate number given the increasing influx of patients.
Despite these challenges, nursing administrators at GPHC are committed to addressing the workforce issues by focusing on professional development, in-service education, and clinical training.
Addressing the nursing shortage at GPHC is not only a matter of improving working conditions for healthcare professionals but also ensuring that the hospital can continue to meet the healthcare needs of the population. (G1)