The Government has said that the GSD Opposition has “jumped the gun” in its press statement regarding GHA contract workers. The matter, says the Government, is one which is under discussion with UNITE the union following representations from them, and no changes have been effected following these representations which are being considered by the Chief Minister as Minister responsible for industrial relations, together with the Minister for Health.

The Government statement continues: “As usual the GSD is trying to play mischief and make the community concerned about areas where they need have no concerns. Indeed the nurse complement in the GHA is greater and more qualified than ever. Immediately on coming into office, the GSLP/Liberal Government took on 33 additional nurses, it set up for the first time in many years an enrolled nurse training programme, and is already embarked on the first degree courses for nurses in its School of Health Studies.

“The Government and the GHA will not allow anything to reduce the professional levels of its nurses, nor the quality of nursing care, and will consider UNITE's representations - only made formally on Friday of last week - with a view to ensuring fair and equitable treatment of all its employees and guaranteeing staffing levels and the well-being of patients.”