Nurse attacks spark opposition calls for urgent security overhaul

Two violent incidents against nurses at public clinics have drawn sharp criticism from the opposition Democratic Labour Party, which on Tuesday pressed the Mottley administration to act swiftly to protect frontline staff.

The attacks were not just isolated acts of violence but a warning sign of a system in crisis, said opposition spokesperson on health and wellness Senator Andre Worrell, who demanded immediate government protection for the nurses.

“We are witnessing the importation of street-level violence into places of care,” Sen. Worrell said in a statement.

“These incidents are not isolated, they are symptomatic of a broader societal breakdown and the failure of this government to proactively secure our frontline health institutions.”

A nurse was injured at Randal Phillips Polyclinic in Oistins on Monday evening and another altercation was reported on Tuesday at the Frederick Miller Polyclinic at the Glebe, St George.

The opposition has since accused the Ministry of Health of being slow to respond and failing to put adequate protection in place for staff.

“These are the men and women who care for our nation’s most vulnerable, and yet they are left vulnerable themselves by an inadequate, reactive security system overseen by a complacent Minister of Health,” Senator Worrell charged.

Calling for zero tolerance of violence in the healthcare system, the opposition senator laid out five urgent demands:

• a full audit and upgrade of security across all public health facilities

• deployment of trained security officers during all operating hours

• surveillance cameras and secure access systems at clinics

• transparency from the Ministry on violent incidents

• psychological support and compensation for affected workers

“Healthcare workers should not go to work in fear of being assaulted,” Senator Worrell said. “Barbados must not wait until tragedy strikes again.”

The senator also urged the Ministry to provide “full backing – emotionally, legally, and financially” to those impacted, and warned that “the country is watching”.

“Let this be the last time a nurse is attacked under this government’s watch,” he added. (SM)