By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Michael Pintard told nurses in Grand Bahama there will be a repeal of the existing Nurses and Midwives Act to ensure proper re-classification and recognition of the different professions in their field.

He also assured them that under the new administration and the leadership of Health Minister Dr Duane Sands, they can expect improvements in the working conditions and wages of nurses.

"The director of nursing is already under instructions to examine the working conditions of nurses to see where there are opportunities to improve those conditions and improve remuneration," he said at the installation ceremony for the Nurses Association of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (NACB) Grand Bahama Branch last Thursday.

Mr Pintard, who delivered the keynote address, commended nurses for their work in healthcare.

He said the nursing profession is the largest organised workforce in the world, and is the biggest subset of the healthcare sector.

"I commend nurses for leading the way in transforming health care, not just in Grand Bahama, but by extension working with national leaders to improve healthcare in The Bahamas," Mr Pintard said.

He recognised NACB President Paulette Cash and incoming chairperson of the Grand Bahama branch Therell Pintard-Smith as competent leaders who are passionate about achieving improvements for nurses and the nursing profession.

Mr Pintard said those in the health profession, nurses, in particular, should be better compensated for the important work and role they play in healthcare.

"It is high time to begin to think how do you provide not merely a stipend, but more for those who are working on a regular basis to change a profession that really deals with life and death issues," he said.

"We are grateful to you for the work you are doing tirelessly. The Minister of Health Dr Sands is a diligent and relentless advocate for nurses, and has no difficulty asking for the maximum resource to ensure the health care system is improved."

The MP for Marco City also talked about the importance of continued education for improvement of healthcare.

He urged nurses participating in seminars and symposiums at home and international conferences abroad to share their knowledge with others when they return.

Mr Pintard encouraged the NACB to seek government financing to allow greater numbers of nurses the opportunity to attend international conferences.

He also suggested the association put in place a core group of writers who can assist it in writing grant proposals for projects so they can access capital from various agencies.

Sandra Coleby, acting director of nursing, also addressed the nurses, encouraging them to continue to lobby and participate in leadership in negotiation courses.

"Even if you have to spend a few dollars out of pocket, it is certainly worth it," she said.

The incoming nursing executives are Therell Pintard Smith, chairperson of NACB Grand Bahama Branch; Tameisha Munnings, treasurer; Kellyander Morris, secretary of the Grand Bahama branch of NACB; Paulette Bain Dean, assistant treasurer, and Elsie Hepburn, assistant chairperson.

Elected to serve on various committees are Terez Romer, chairperson of public relations; Natalea Nesbeth-Rolle, chairperson of standards and ethics; Leona Cartwright, chairperson of education and research; Lyndette Curtis, chairperson of membership; and Ashnell Missick, chairperson of the socio-economic committee.