MONTEGO BAY, St James

The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) is reporting that the shortage of nurses in the western region has been eased with an assignment of more than 50 new graduates.

Following the conclusion of a two-day orientation yesterday registered nurses (RNs) and eight enrolled assistant nurses (EANs) were posted at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James. Seven RNs were posted in Westmoreland, Trelawny got four, while three RNs and two EANs were posted in Hanover.

Additionally, Hanover got one public health inspector while the St James Health Department, a dental nurse.

Speaking at the orientation on Tuesday, acting Regional Director of the WRHA, Dr Alexander Konstantinov expressed gratitude for the additional health workers.

He noted that the shortage of nurses was not unique to the western region, nor even the country, as it was being felt in many countries including the United States.

There are presently 2,300 members of staff – the majority being nurses – serving the western region’s population of 474,000 at four hospitals and 83 health centres.

During the orientation, the new nurses were exposed to Customer Service Training/Introduction to Clients Charter, Quality Assurance, Managing Cultural Diversity at the Workplace and Industrial Relations issues.