By Ravin Singh

THE Nurses Association of Guyana has registered its concerns regarding the recent eviction of Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Tarmattie Barker from her office at the Ministry of Health building, Brickdam. According to the association, on April 27, Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr Karen Cummings, visited the office of the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer (DCNO), Veronica Douglas, and “casually informed” her of a desire to have Barker and Douglas removed from the office so that it could be occupied by her [Cummings] new staff – Dr. Karen Boyle.
The association explained that the minister was then informed that this was not possible, since the CNO and DCNO’s office space should be housed within the physical locale of the Ministry of Public Health. This was in keeping with the ministry’s organisational structure. The minister was also informed of the key roles and responsibilities of the CNO. Among these are: overall responsibility for the organisation and management of nursing services and education programmes in the country; to advise the minister on all health matters relating to nursing; and to be the minister’s representative at Nursing and Midwifery meetings nationally, regionally and internationally. The association noted that after this was explained to the minister, no response was forthcoming.
It was further revealed that on May 31, 2016, the CNO and the DCNO were both summoned to a meeting which was to be held at the Kingston Annex of the Nurses Association. However, the Permanent Secretary (PS), Trevor Thomas, who was slated to meet with the duo failed to make an appearance. On June 2, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Colette Adams visited the duo’s office to relay a message on behalf of Thomas. Adams informed them both that they were required to vacate the office. This was later reinforced by Thomas, who then made his appearance to the CNO and DCNO to inform them that their office was being relocated with immediate effect.
Curious as to where the office was being relocated, the association said that Barker questioned the permanent secretary, who told her that the office would be relocated to the School of Nursing Annex in Kingston. Having been told this, the duo then expressed how “sudden, disrespectful and unprofessional” this move was, since they were not given prior notice.
“The PS also told them that he had received correspondence informing him that the move is effective from June 1, 2016. He was told at that time that these decisions and instructions were all verbal and should be documented. He promised that correspondence would be forthcoming in two days, but this was never received,” the association said.
Further, the space identified at the Nursing Association’s annex was described by the body as being “grossly inadequate.”
“There is need for infrastructural remodelling, such as extension for office, repairs to the windows, doors and air conditioning unit, among other things,” the association said.
It was then revealed that on Monday, June 6, Barker received a call from Abigail Smith, an administrative staff from the ministry, who requested her (Barker) to vacate the office, since Dr. Boyle was “waiting outside to occupy the space.”
Upon arrival at the office, it was reported that Barker noticed all of her belongings, along with those of the DCNO removed and placed outside by the typist clerk’s work station.
“This situation has brought much embarrassment and disrespect to both persons,” the association said.
It was highlighted too that Barker also currently serves as Chair of the General Nursing Council of Guyana, member of the Nurses and Midwives Association of Guyana, and member of the Regional Nursing bodies of CARICOM.
Given this situation, the association is calling on the relevant authorities to look into this matter immediately and bring an amicable resolution since, it has, to them, displayed a form of “bullyism.”
“If there are personal issues with the CNO and DCNO, let us be brave soldiers and be courageous to confront and address the issues in an amicable manner and work for the betterment of nursing and midwifery care in Guyana,” the Nurses Association said.
Meanwhile, when Minister Cummings was contacted by the Guyana Chronicle, she stated that she could not comment on the issue now, but would provide a response sometime next week.