More junior doctors take industrial action

A spate of industrial action has hit the public health system as junior doctors across Jamaica have walked off the job.

They are upset about, among other things, contracts and working hours.

Here's what we know so far:

Kingston and St Andrew: Bustamante Hospital for Children
Dr Michelle Ann Richards Dawson, senior medical officer at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in St Andrew, said several doctors have called in sick. 

"It has started to impact our critical areas especially the accident and emergency department. Across the institution, there has been a decrease in the number of junior doctors. Currently, the areas are being manned by the consultants," she said. 

University Hospital of the West Indies
Nordia Francis Williams, communication manager at the University Hospital of the West Indies, said she has not heard about a sickout.

"As far as I know, there is no such thing happening here,” she said, promising to make checks and revert to The Gleaner.    

Junior doctors at the institution have reported that the majority of them have called in sick.

Kingston Public Hospital
A senior doctor at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) has confirmed that junior doctors have been calling in sick.

However, calls to Dr Natalie Whylie, senior medical officer at KPH, went unanswered. 

St Catherine: Spanish Town Hospital
Health services at the Spanish Town Hospital came to a halt this morning as more than 100 junior doctors stayed off the job.

Over 150 persons who turned up for outpatient services had to be rescheduled.

Senior medical officer of health Dr Jacqueline Wright James indicated that outpatients with dire emergencies will be diverted to the residency department.

St Ann: St Ann's Bay Regional Hospital
Head of the St Ann's Bay Regional Hospital, Dennis Morgan, is currently locked in a meeting with officials to discuss a plan of action due to the industrial action taken by junior doctors. 

"We are aware of the industrial action and for sure it is affecting our facility but we are planning our schedule as we go along," Morgan told The Gleaner.

Manchester: Mandeville Regional Hospital
More than 80% of junior doctors at the Mandeville Regional Hospital have called in sick, impacting operations at the facility.

Senior medical officer Dr Everton McIntosh said some surgeries have been postponed and that wards are being cleared of persons who can be discharged.

He said a sick-out lasting more than 48 hours would cripple operations.

Western Jamaica
Clinical coordinator for the Western Regional Health Authority Dr Delroy Fray has confirmed that junior doctors have not taken up their duties.

He says a meeting has been called to assess the situation.

North East Regional Health Authority
Chairman of the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) Laura Heron says a report provided earlier this morning indicated that operations across the region have not been severely impacted by the industrial action.

She says she expects to get a follow-up report on the situation.  

NERHA is responsible for the St Ann's Bay regional and the Alexandria community hospitals in St Ann, Port Maria and Annotto Bay hospitals in St Mary, and Port Antonio Hospital in Portland.

Westmoreland: The Savanna-la-Mar Hospital
The Savanna-la-Mar Hospital is operating at 50 percent of its capacity.

Hanover: Noel Holmes Hospital
Administrators are reporting normal operations at the Noel Holmes Hospital.

Trelawny: Falmouth Hospital
Staff members have turned up for regular duties at the Falmouth Hospital.

St James: Cornwall Regional Hospital
Junior doctors at the Cornwall Regional Hospital have taken industrial action, impacting operations.

Consultants are now handling emergency cases.

Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA)

Outpatient clinics across the Southern Regional Health Authority, which covers Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth,  have been closed and appointments rescheduled due to the sick out by doctors.

A total of 158 of the 302 doctors scheduled for duties across the region did not turn up for work today. 

NOTE: This story has been updated to indicate that Nordia Francis Williams said she was not aware of a 'sickout' at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

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