HEALTH Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has asked the Western Regional Health Authority to take the appropriate action against staff, under the HR and Industrial Relations Guidelines of the Ministry of Health, for recent breaches at the Savanna-la-Mar Public Hospital.

This follows a report on construction at the hospital paediatric ward, while occupied by patients.

Tufton said he has reviewed and accepted the findings of the report on the renovation that occurred at the facility.

The minister has also asked the region to submit, within one month, a recommended proposal for the Ministry of Health to review and approve of the protocol for how all future renovation work should take place in public health facilities.

The report into the renovation concluded that:

• There was a breach of the work plan.

• There is a need for a disciplinary hearing involving supervisory staff.

• A review and recommendation of protocol, including approach to supervision for renovations within the public health system is needed.

Tufton had requested an urgent investigation and report into the matter with a view to not have a repeat of the incident. According to the minister: “The safety of staff and patients during renovation at any facility is of utmost importance and there was a breakdown of procedures during construction at the hospital.”

He added: “We must hold persons accountable and ensure through policy that we do not have a repeat of these incidents.”