PHA Responds to Nurses Gripe With Shift Change
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Public Hospital Authority says COVID-19 requires all nurses flexibility to tackle virus
The Public Hospital Authority (PHA) is responding to the Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU), which advised its members to revolt against the new shift changes implemented by the authority to tackle COVID=19.
In a press statement released Wednesday afternoon, PHA said it “will exercise emergency authority to ensure requisite staffing in all public health facilities” during this period of declared emergency.
The statement goes on to say, “PHA, pursuant to Article 3.01 (1) and (4) of the Industrial Agreement between the PHA and BNU, exercises its right to rotate and assign nurses as needed to provide all necessary medical care.”
In a letter to union members, dated April 11th, BNU advised its members to immediately cease shift changes.
The PHA said it recognizes the Industrial Agreement with the BNU, in its efforts to fight the COVID19 pandemic, saying it requires a high degree of flexibility from all staff.
PHA stated that nursing shifts will return to the pre-pandemic schedule when the emergency orders by government are withdrawn.
