CMNT_TITLE

Repetition

Article 1(2) of the Convention. Scope of application. The Committee notes the Government’s statement in its last report that the unit which had been set up to monitor private hospitals with a view to improving their standards was defunct. The Committee requests the Government to clarify how this failed initiative impacts on the broader public health-care policy and to provide information on any other measures designed to improve the quality of nursing services.

Articles 2(2)(b) and 5(2). Employment and working conditions of working personnel. With reference to the collective agreement of 2002 covering the nursing personnel employed by the Catholic Hospital Inc., the Committee would appreciate receiving supplementary information on the conditions of employment and work applicable to nursing staff excluded from the scope of this agreement such as head nurses and student nurses. The Committee would be grateful to the Government for continuing to provide copies of all collective agreements regulating the working conditions of nursing personnel in the public and the private sectors. The Committee would also be interested in obtaining up to-date information on any specific measures taken or contemplated to attract and retain nursing personnel in the profession.

Article 7. Occupational health and safety. The Committee notes the occupational safety and health draft policy statement of the Georgetown Public Hospital which sets out the priorities and objectives of this establishment in matters of health, safety and welfare of its employees. The Committee asks the Government to indicate any specific measures, such as regulations, administrative circulars, training programmes, awareness-raising campaigns or other arrangements, taken with a view to protecting nursing personnel from exposure to special health risks, in particular accidental HIV infection.