TRHA payroll audit to be completed in May

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Secretary of Health, Wellness and Family Development Dr Agatha Carrington has given the assurance that the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) payroll audit would be completed within the upcoming month.

Addressing reporters at Wednesday’s post Executive Council news conference at the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation in Sangster’s Hill, Scarborough, Dr Carrington said “The audit of the TRHA’s payroll continues and we expect that that will be concluded in the coming month.”

On March 20, the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development said the TRHA would be engaging an independent payroll audit team to assist with reviewing the Authority’s payroll.

This independent review, according to a press release from the Division, has become necessary to manage the RHA’s expenditure in a more efficient manner.

The division said, given the high level of independence required for the review process, some members of staff in the finance, human resources and information technology departments were sent on administrative leave with full pay and benefits.

"It must be stated that this is not a punitive action but an administrative one that is necessary to ensure the independence of the payroll review process."

The statement followed claims by Public Services Association (PSA) president Watson Duke that doctors at Scarborough Hospital were being given short term contracts, ranging between one and five months.

Duke threatened to take the division to court over the matter.