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Minister of Health and Wellness Senator the Most Honourable Dr. Jerome Walcott has responded to claims of long hours by junior doctors at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Recently, junior doctors and the Barbados Association of Medical Practioners raised concerns about the working conditions at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where in some cases doctors have been working for 32 straight hours.
The Health Minister says he was blindsided by what has transpired.
Dr. Walcott says he’s the one who has been advocating for more posts for junior doctors and other staff, to help improve working conditions at the health care facility.
He declares long before the recent comments made in the Senate about the long hours worked by junior doctors, he brought attention to the issue.
Dr. Walcott explains there is a clear process when dealing with such issues.
According to him, it has not been followed in this case.
This after a letter reportedly from concerned junior doctors was leaked to CBC News about their concerns relating to working hours.
Minister Walcott went on to explain that this is what you sign up for when entering the profession, with an understanding that peoples lives are at stake.
He also revealed that in cases where junior doctors work these extended hours, they are compensated.
There’s to be a meeting on Monday with management at the QEH where they will hear the concerns of junior doctors.
We’ll continue to follow this story as it unfolds.
