On Wednesday 06/09/2017, TTRNA met with Officials of the Ministry of Health and the RHA’s, in its ongoing attempt to resolve outstanding issues affecting nurs-ing personnel and the wider health sector. Represented by the President Idi Stuart and Secretary Corey Dillon, the following points were discussed.
1) Stipend for USC nursing students: TTRNA continues to champion the cause of nursing students in this struggle for non-payment of stipend since July 2016. While not the Minister responsible, the Minister of Health assured us he will make an inter-vention to have the relevant line Minister, to meet with us to treat with this issue.
2) Rationalization of Nursing Education: There has been a stall on the part of the Ministry of Education. The Minister again gave his word that he will advocate for the continuation of talks with the stakeholders.
3) Inaccurate Travelling Allowances: The case was made that 2 out of the 4 RHAs are not paying the revised travel allowances paid to travel officers. The rational was that due to RHA’s not being Statutory Authorities but rather Public Authorities. This pre-vents any new allowances via collective bargaining to be automatically conferred up-on the RHA’s. TTRNA will be pressing ahead with resolving this matter and that of Motor vehicle Tax Exemption for Nursing personnel who function as Travelling of-ficers.
4) The National Nursing Advisor (formally Chief Nursing Officer): An individual has finally been selected and should commence work on the 01/11/2017. The reintroduc-tion of the Director Community Nursing and other nursing positions in the Ministry will be addressed when this person commences work.
5) Ambulance Service: TTRNA emphasized and is prepared to take strong action on the numerous infringements on the compulsory ambulance requirements by the RHA’s and the ministry of Health. TTRNA, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and the Chairperson of the Ambulance Authority is scheduled to meet to address same.
6) The Nursing Council (NCTT): TTRNA has serious concerns with aspects of the functioning of NCTT which its members have brought to its attention. The Minister agreed to provide a suitable forum for these issues to be aired and treated with.