Nurses at the NCRHA ,are, currently disgruntled at what they consider to be the unilateral implementation of a Price Water House recommendation at the institution, without first consulting with them, or, providing then an opportunity to express their views on these new procedures, and, their concerns relative to the impact these new procedures will have on their work environment and indeed upon their profession.

The new procedure now requires nurses to report to doctors. This issue impinges on what has perennially been an issue of great concern to nurse who have historically considered this responsibility as falling within the purview of what they generally consider to be their professional rights.

From the inception of nursing in Trinidad and Tobago nurses have cherished their individuality and independence of being a profession with their own leadership and professional structure. The implementation of any practice which even remotely appears to be subversive of this fundamental tenet of the nursing profession represents a departure from the historical and renowned practice of the nursing profession.

In the absence of a clear definition of what ‘reporting to Doctors entails, nurses are left to speculate that this represents a professional shift and a reversal of a fundamental understanding that existed between doctors with respect to job specification and their role in the overall provision of health care.

Nurses are further concerned as to if the implementation of this new procedure will be implemented in other regional authority and in time become standard practice.