The North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) has strongly condemned statements made by the president of the Trinidad and Tobago National Nurses’ Association (TTNNA), dismissing claims regarding its nursing staff shift arrangements as false and misleading. In a statement released on Wednesday, the NCRHA denied assertions that nurses were assigned to work four-hour shifts or suffered financial disadvantages.
The authority clarified that it operates under a two-shift system consisting of eight-hour and 12-hour shifts, and has not introduced any four-hour shift structure. According to the authority, the controversy stems from a flexible arrangement introduced by the General Manager of Nursing to accommodate a small group of staff members facing health, personal, or transportation difficulties.
This initiative applied to roughly three percent of the authority’s workforce of more than 1,000 nurses. The NCRHA stated that the arrangement was intended to help these nurses complete their required 40-hour work week, with most continuing to work eight-hour shifts while the remaining four hours were handled through existing pool arrangements.
The health authority highlighted that neither the General Manager of Nursing nor senior management received any formal complaints from the nurses involved in the accommodation. It maintained that all operational adjustments remained strictly within established administrative protocols. The NCRHA also refuted claims made by the TTNNA regarding a shortage of nursing staff.
The authority reported that it recently hired more than 100 nurses, which expanded its workforce and decreased its reliance on pool staff. Addressing the motivation behind the public statements, the authority suggested that the claims might be tied to the TTNNA’s upcoming national elections.
The NCRHA noted that the association is not a recognised majority union for its workforce and, as a result, the authority is under no obligation to engage in formal negotiations with the organisation regarding bargaining units. Reaffirming its position, the NCRHA stated that its actions complied with all relevant laws, regulations, and employment obligations.
In response to what it characterised as damaging public allegations, the authority announced that it is currently reviewing legal remedies to safeguard its reputation and the reputation of its officers. The NCRHA emphasised its ongoing commitment to supporting its nursing staff, maintaining patient care standards, and operating with fairness and transparency.
