Shock and outrage after deadly PoSGH shooting

News

Joey Bartlett

26 minutes ago

TT Registered Nurses Association president Idi Stewart said association members were shocked and horrified by the deadly shootings at the Port of Spain General Hospital (PoSGH).

“As these young men engage in their own turf war, they see no need to differentiate between safe zones. It appears that the respect once accorded to places of worship and hospitals is no more,” he said. Stewart said.

In a phone interview Monday, Stewart cited a murder that occurred at PoSGH in 2019 when a man dressed as a hospital nurse entered Ward Three at night and stood over a patient who was treating stab wounds. The suspect shot and killed the 25-year-old man.

Stewart said the 2019 shooting happened in full view of staff and patients.

“The association then requested that a certain number of points be addressed. One of them was the reduction in the number of exits and entries into the establishment, because it is quite open to the public.”

He said the association also requested at the time that all healthcare workers be provided with health insurance, life insurance and hazard pay, but this was never granted. His association then offered health insurance and life insurance.

“The government at the time did not see fit to provide for nursing staff. We only asked them for a small contribution to offset the costs. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Health did not see this as justified, as it currently done for these personnel in the protective services.

He said the association met with NWRHA staff and CEO Anthony Blake on Monday to discuss safety plans. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh was also visiting PoSGH on Monday.

“We will not disclose these plans, but we commend the authorities for implementing some of these plans almost immediately.”

Stewart said he still has safety concerns and stressed that a contingency plan needs to be implemented.

“Drills should be carried out in case this event occurs again.” Stewart said there is no formal training or plan in place for active shooters.

“Northwest sporadically provides some training to staff in terms of handling aggressive patients, but this is nowhere near what happened yesterday. This falls far short of addressing active shooter scenarios.

He believes the hospital’s location in a hot spot warrants urgent intervention.

intervention to prevent any future shootings.

“We have limited human resources, so as an authority we are calling on the government to develop plans to mitigate possible shootings in the future.”

Staff, patients worried, nervous

When Newsday visited PoSGH on Monday, there was a visible increase in security with the presence of police and private security guards. As Newsday waited for Deyalsingh to finish his meeting with hospital officials, several police vans were seen patrolling the compound with officers armed with rifles.

A police officer told Newsday that although police patrols were underway in the compound, the increased presence Monday was due to Sunday’s shooting.

He said the shooting was gang-related and believes communities have a responsibility to report criminal elements because it can prevent mass shootings. He advised the public to be vigilant, especially if they live in crime hotspots.

“I wouldn’t advise anyone living in a hot zone not to be outside the liming. Unfortunately, that’s how it is,” the police officer said.

A staff member who was on duty in the accident and emergency department when the shooting occurred said that when staff heard the gunshots, they began running to safety.

She described the situation as traumatic and added that it was not the first time, citing a July 24, 2015 shooting that took place when prisoners Hassan Atwell, Allan “Scanny” Martin and Christopher “Monster” Selby shot to leave the port. from the Spanish Prison, Frederick Street.

Martin was shot dead while confronted by police in a guard booth at PoSGH.

The hospital employee noted that a long-term police presence was needed at the hospital due to the increase in retaliatory killings and the hospital’s location.

An elderly woman who gave her name only as Janice said she did not feel safe going to hospital but because of her finances she had no choice. “I’m poor and I have no money. What else can I do? Where can I go? Do you think I want to come here?”

A man who was nursing a broken arm and did not want to give his name said simply: “It’s Trinidad.” What else are you waiting for? »

When asked for his opinion on National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds’ visit to PoSGH and holding a press conference on Sunday evening, shortly after the deadly shooting, the man replied: “A waste of time and a grandpa show. That’s all.”

In a press release issued on Monday, the TT Medical Association (T&TMA) strongly condemned all types of violence, especially gun violence, in hospitals across the country.

“Hospitals are internationally recognized as places of safety. It is disheartening to see an attack occur in a place of refuge.”

The association praised the staff who, it said, braved a traumatic situation and continued their respective tasks throughout the night. The association called for staff and patients to receive counseling and urged all healthcare providers to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings.

“Please take all necessary precautions to protect each other.”

The statement concluded with condolences to the families of those affected and called on the NWRHA to improve its safety programs to ensure the safety of all those in its care.