Copyright thenassauguardian
A veteran nurse at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) has been suspended for two weeks after releasing a video on social media passionately pleading with Prime Minister Philip Davis to address what she described as major issues at the facility, including leaky roofs, medical supply shortages and rodent infestation. But while the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) defended its decision to suspend her, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville disagreed with the action taken. In the video, Pearl Williams, who has been a nurse for 44 years, appealed to Davis to deliver long-awaited change at PMH. “Mr. Prime Minister, out of the goodness of your heart, please listen to the many concerns we have at the Princess Margaret Hospital,” Williams said. “The roofs are leaking, Mr. Prime Minister; lack of supplies; lack of human resources; not to mention the rodent problem that we have. “When will the Accident and Emergency Department be open, Mr. Prime Minister, so that we can treat our patients with dignity and privacy? “Out of the goodness of your heart, please listen to the cries for help. Bring about change, much needed change in the Princess Margaret Hospital.” Williams, who spent her career at PMH, except for the 15 months she worked at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, told The Nassau Guardian she was shocked by the suspension, but wished not to comment further as the Nurses Union is looking into the matter. The PHA confirmed Williams’ suspension. “The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) confirms that an employee has been suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation, following the circulation of a video on social media,” the authority said. “This matter is being addressed in accordance with the authority’s social media policy, which outlines strict standards for professionalism, confidentiality, and responsible online conduct. “Breaches of these standards are taken seriously to protect the dignity of patients, staff, and the public. “Beyond disciplinary action, the PHA is actively strengthening operational protocols and addressing identified gaps.” PHA encouraged employees to make use of its confidential reporting channels, including an anonymous system managed by the Internal Audit Department. The authority further advised workers who wish to express concerns directly to the prime minister to communicate those concerns through the Office of the Prime Minister. Darville’s statement on the matter came not long after the one released by the PHA. “While I have not yet been fully briefed on all the details, I wish to state clearly that I do not agree with the decision to suspend the nurse at this stage,” he said. “I respect the independence of the PHA and the protocols that guide its internal investigations. “However, we must remember that our nurses continue to serve under tremendous pressure, giving care and comfort to our people every day. “Fairness and compassion must always guide how we treat those who dedicate their lives to the well-being of others.” Darville said he has requested a full briefing on the matter. “Once that happens, I intend to engage directly with the PHA to ensure that due process is followed and that the nurse involved is treated justly,” the minister said. Former Minister of Health Dr. Duane Sands condemned the suspension. “Last week, we all watched a video from a senior critical care nurse begging Prime Minister Davis to address the deplorable conditions at our nation’s preeminent healthcare facility,” Sands said. “She was calm, she was respectful, she was articulate, professional and passionate, but she spoke the truth. Nothing she said hadn’t already been said in the public domain. He said, “Every single thing she said was true, and yet she was victimized, she was suspended. “This is a senior, competent, capable, caring, excellent Bahamian ICU nurse who I have worked with over the years ... but the response, obviously intended to intimidate and silence truth-tellers, was suspension. Sands added, “To that Bahamian patriot who wants better for her patients and for the Bahamian people, we stand with you. We applaud you. I stand with you.” Muriel Lightbourne, president of the Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU), said the union is working to ensure that Williams’ rights are protected. “We are aware she is suspended with pay for investigative purposes,” Lightbourne told The Guardian. “We in the union will ensure that her rights are not breached and will indeed represent her in this matter.” There are now questions surrounding whether the suspension breaches the law. Section 47 of the Freedom of Information Act – enacted by the Minnis administration– states that no person may be subject to any “legal, administrative or employment related sanction, regardless of any breach of a legal or employment related obligation, for releasing information on wrongdoing, or that which would disclose a serious threat to health, safety or the environment, as long as he acted in good faith, and in the reasonable belief that the information was substantially true, and disclosed evidence of wrongdoing or a serious threat to health, safety or the environment”.
