University Hospital staff need better motivation

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I have been living in the United Kingdom for many years. Earlier this year, I had to visit Jamaica to see my dad who had spent two weeks at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

His care, unfortunately, was only marginal – much less than was expected from such a well-established hospital. My dad is seriously ill and, while in hospital, he developed a condition that has left him somewhat worse off.

I understand that the nurses there are stretched and, during the time I visited Dad at the hospital before he was discharged, I got the sense that the nurses lacked motivation, which probably led to my dad leaving in a worse-off condition.

This is really disappointing especially as this happened in a well known teaching hospital where, I’m sure, dozens of healthcare students pass through on a yearly basis. One would think that, with such a reputation, as a university hospital, the care and the facilities would be to a higher standard.

A $4.9 billion upgrade is in the pipeline for the hospital. What about the clinical staff – those nurses who appear to be over-worked and underpaid? An upgrade in personnel and leadership style is urgently needed as well, so that patient care can be more complete; so that nurses and other staff will be more motivated, and that there is greater job satisfaction.

That’s what makes for a truly great hospital!

RW