[UPDATED] Unvaccinated staff at private hospitals to provide weekly PCR tests

A technician swabbing a patient at Victoria Labs, Vistabella where private covid19 tests are being done. - Photo by Lincoln Holder
A technician swabbing a patient at Victoria Labs, Vistabella where private covid19 tests are being done. - Photo by Lincoln Holder

All unvaccinated staff at private hospitals across Trinidad and Tobago will soon be required to provide weekly PCR tests.

A joint statement said the private hospitals are aiming to have all staff vaccinated by September 1.

"We the undersigned private hospitals," it said, "have all agreed as providers of healthcare to the vulnerable population that we have an obligation to provide a safe environment for their treatment and care.”

The participating hospitals are Cross Crossings Medical Centre, Gulf View Medical Centre, Medical Associates, Southern Medical Clinic, St Augustine Private Hospital, Surgi-med, Victoria Nursing Home, and West Shore Medical Private Hospital.

They explained, “While we respect each person’s right to make decisions regarding one’s own health choices, we have all agreed that all unvaccinated employees without medically supported evidence for an exemption will be required to submit weekly PCR covid19 test results to their respective human resource departments with effect from September 1.”

The statement said the decision was not taken lightly.

“We understand the cost factors involved, but the safety of people accessing private hospitals and their families are our first priority.”

President of the Registered Nurses Association Idi Stuart, in a brief phone interview with Newsday on Thursday, said the TT Chambers of Commerce and unions are currently discussing how to treat with the issue of unvaccinated staff.

“We would want to know if the private hospitals are not following the Chamber of Commerce and the unions (who) are discussing this very issue,” he said. “Are they not part of the Chamber of Commerce? Or are they separate entities?

"We would have expected the private sector to wait for that joint proposal on the way forward.”

He said the meeting only took place t this week and was surprised the private sector would respond before the report was publicised.

He said he would also like clarity on the Ministry of Health’s position.

“Even though they are private, the ministry still has oversight. We would definitely want to hear the minister’s position and the government leadership on this and not allow it to fester.”

He said these are the types of issues where the leadership of the government will be examined.

“Seeing that the employer has now altered the terms of conditions for employees, we would want all nurses to contact us and let us treat with it very frontally if their employers are making this unilateral change to their contracts.”

He said the threat of mandatory vaccinations is something all employees are facing in the public sector.

“What the public sector is doing is constant encouragement to accept the vaccine, as opposed to making it mandatory.”

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

All unvaccinated staff at private hospitals across Trinidad and Tobago will soon be required to provide weekly PCR tests.

A joint statement said private hospitals are aiming to have all staff vaccinated by September 1.

It said, "We the undersigned private hospitals have all agreed as providers of healthcare to the vulnerable population that we have an obligation to provide a safe environment for their treatment and care.”

The participating hospitals are Cross Crossing Medical Centre, Gulf View Medical Centre, Medical Associates, Southern Medical Clinic, St Augustine Private Hospital, Surgimed, Victoria Nursing Home and West Shore Medical Private Hospital.

It gave as the reason for this requirement: “While we respect each person’s right to make decisions regarding one’s own health choices, we have all agreed that all unvaccinated employees without medically supported evidence for an exemption will be required to submit weekly PCR covid19 test results to their respective human resource departments with effect from September 1.”

The statement said the decision was not taken lightly.

“We understand the cost factors involved, but the safety of people accessing private hospitals and their families are our first priority.”

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"[UPDATED] Unvaccinated staff at private hospitals to provide weekly PCR tests"

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