Deyalsingh: They were getting act together

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh said yesterday, the Transformed Life Ministry rehabilitation centre was in the process of improving the standard of its operations for it to be registered as an approved home under his ministry.

At a press conference yesterday afternoon, held at the Ministry of National Security, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, Deyalsingh said a team from the ministry – including the county medical health officer, the Division of Ageing and three officers from the Arouca police station, went there on June 21. But when they arrived, the medical officer determined what was happening there was more psychiatric in nature.

On July 1, ministry officials returned and outlined several infrastructural, practical and administrative flaws with the institution. These included poor lighting, poor record keeping and inadequate staff.

Deyalsingh said the flaws were being addressed, and this was evidenced by the institution putting out ads for psychiatric nurses up to two weeks ago.

“So they were apparently in the process of meeting some of the recommendations.”

Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, told reporters that government had severed ties with the institution in 2015 after concerns over the conditions there were raised. She said reports were made to the Division of Ageing and investigations were done.