Linden nurses protest for removal of hospital’s CEO

Some 120 nurses on Monday joined calls made by Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) officials for the removal of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) Rudy Small, over alleged “salacious” statements made to an online news agency.

The nurses and officials, armed with placards, picketed the office of the CEO on Monday chanting for him to resign from the post. The nurses, during the protest, chanted, “the CEO must go” and “we need justice”.

Regional Vice Chairman Douglas Gittens noted that Small again declined to meet with officials at his office on Monday. Gittens had also alleged that the CEO refused to meet with the team which sat in his office before protesting last Friday.

“He declined both the person from the Ministry of Labour and the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman – a meeting to iron out views that we have,” Gittens said on Monday.

Gittens also alleged that the CEO “snuck out” of the building and left the hospital compound.

Gittens alleged that a letter was submitted to the CEO stating that he has no other choice but to resign from the post within 10 days.

“However, the Union and the hospital persons have come together and they have said that they are giving him until Friday to resign,” the Regional Vice Chairman said.

Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) Regional Representative Maurice Butters was also present and addressed the protesting nurses.

Butters told this publication that the nurses are “mad with the CEO for the irresponsible statements” he has allegedly made.

Meanwhile, the CEO in a statement issued via a press release issued on Friday said in mid-February, a reporter from an online news agency which he named, inquired into the reason why the Linden Hospital Complex requested budgetary funding for the introduction of an Electronic Timekeeping System. He said he explained that among the several challenges the Linden Hospital Complex experiences a situation whereby a small number of staff members is signing in to work and then disappearing until the end of their shifts. He said he further explained that it is the strong belief of the Linden Hospital management that the Electronic Timekeeping System would make it more difficult for staff members to leave their shifts for long periods of time.

“At the end of the interview, off the record, the reporter and I engaged in casual banter. During that off-record conversation, certain popular rumours relating to the issue of disappearing staff members were highlighted. Those rumours have nothing to do with the introduction of a timekeeping system at the hospital,” the CEO explained.

“These rumours relating to behaviour of nursing staff have been part of the folklore in this community long before my arrival as the CEO of the Linden Hospital Complex.  I was shocked and mortified when I subsequently was informed of a FB post by the reporter which has been circulated widely. In this post, the reporter added salacious commentary alleging certain inappropriate behaviour of nurses led to the decision to introduce an electronic timekeeping system. At no time in the formal interview did I ascribe the need for a timekeeping system to be related to the rumoured behaviour of nurses or any other staff,” the CEO noted in the letter.

He added in the letter that the hospital management has faced the challenge of tardiness and staff members not completing their shifts.

According to the CEO, as Head of the management staff of the Linden Hospital, he has an obligation to stem the problem. “Doing nothing is irresponsible. While the management has a responsibility to ensure staff members report on time for work and complete their shifts, their personal lives are not the responsibility of management,” he said.

Fmr. hospital CEO apologises for ‘sweetman’ comment

By Editor On Mar 3, 2021, Source - https://newsroom.gy/2021/03/03...or-sweetman-comment/

See below full statement issued by former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Linden Hospital Complex, Rudy Small:

I am issuing an unequivocal apology to the nurses and all staff of the Linden Hospital Complex. I made a statement that was hurtful to the nurses and that must have hurt other staff. There is no excuse for my public utterances on this matter and, I am, therefore, sincerely apologizing to all those that my utterances have hurt.

I have disappointed those who placed their confidence in me and for that I am truly sorry.

When I assumed my post as the CEO of the Linden Hospital Complex, November 2020, I committed to manage this hospital in the best interest of the people of Linden and Region 10. I committed to work with my management and technical colleagues to ensure we together, united in our mission, will make the Linden Hospital one of the best functioning hospitals in Guyana and a place we could all be proud of. I had promised that the Linden Hospital Complex will be an institution that will bring pride to the people of Region 10.

I remain committed to these ideals and to the mission.

I am again reiterating my commitment. I genuinely believe that the staff of the Linden Hospital Complex is a dedicated and committed staff and I am renewing my promise to work with our staff to ensure the mission is achieved.

I have learnt much since coming to the Linden Hospital Complex and everyday prepares me to be better. I will work diligently with all staff to ensure that the original mission of a successful and great institution is promoted everyday.

Rudy Small

March 2, 2021

Nurses intensify protest as Linden Hospital CEO returns to post

Nurses protesting for the removal of the Linden Hospital CEO

Chief Executive Officer of the Linden Hospital Complex Rudy Small has been instructed by the Ministry of Health to return to his post effective March 3.

Small was yesterday removed from the post as CEO of the Linden Hospital following days of protest from nurses and other regional officials after he made “salacious comments” about the conduct of nurses, especially those on the nightshift.

However, in a letter dated March 2 from the Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary Malcolm Watkins, the Linden Hospital CEO was informed that “the leadership of the Ministry, having had a frank discussion with you, has decided that you are to return to your position as the Chief Executive Officer of the Linden Hospital Complex…”

“The Ministry of Health wishes to caution that we expect you to conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the position you are employed in. we expect that you will engage in activities with the staff that mend the tension in relationship that presently exists,” the letter added.

Linden Hospital CEO Rudy Small [Guyana Chronicle photo]

It went on to note that “we expect your conduct in the future will be consistent with the ideas and mission of the Linden Hospital Complex and that you are faithful to the ideals and the mission of the LHC as you carry out your duties and responsibilities.”

The CEO returned to his office today – triggering an uproar from nurses who took to the streets to demand his permanent removal from the post. The protest actions escalated, causing law enforcement officials to intervene. One nurse alleged that she was physically assaulted by a hospital driver whom she alleged has damaged her phone. The hospital driver has since been taken into police custody.

Meanwhile, the CEO has since issued a statement of apology. In the statement, he said “I am issuing an unequivocal apology to the nurses and all the staff of the Linden Hospital Complex. I made a statement that was hurtful to the nurses and that must have hurt other staff. There is no excuse for my public utterances on this matter, and I am therefore, sincerely apologising to all those that my utterances have hurt.”

The full letter of apology issued by Linden Hospital CEO Rudy Small

Small had previously explained that in mid-February, a reporter from an online news agency which he named, inquired into the reason why the Linden Hospital Complex requested budgetary funding for the introduction of an Electronic Timekeeping System. He said he explained that among the several challenges the Linden Hospital Complex experiences a situation whereby a small number of staff members is signing in to work and then disappearing until the end of their shifts. He said he further explained that it is the strong belief of the Linden Hospital management that the Electronic Timekeeping System would make it more difficult for staff members to leave their shifts for long periods of time.

“At the end of the interview, off the record, the reporter and I engaged in casual banter. During that off-record conversation, certain popular rumours relating to the issue of disappearing staff members were highlighted. Those rumours have nothing to do with the introduction of a timekeeping system at the hospital,” the CEO had explained.

He was just reinstated. He should set up cameras to catch the culprits in the act.

@Mitwah posted:

He was just reinstated. He should set up cameras to catch the culprits in the act.

He should now fire the incompetents or else he is gone again. 

What is the current outcome

He was hired again to prevent an uprising of Linden. 

@Ramakant-P posted:

He was hired again to prevent an uprising of Linden.

You are a liar.

@Mitwah posted:

You are a liar.

Nobody tells lies as you do.   Anywhere you have black people there is an uprising and a mixed breed person like you are always there.

@Ramakant-P posted:

Nobody tells lies as you do.   Anywhere you have black people there is an uprising and a mixed breed person like you are always there.

You are from a lineage of inbreds, it's a wonder that you have any teeth.

@Mitwah posted:

You are from a lineage of inbreds, it's a wonder that you have any teeth.

Making up stores wouldn't get you anywhere. You are a gutter rat.  Nothing you do or say can change that. 

@Ramakant-P posted:

  Anywhere you have black people there is an uprising

...a diehard PPP supporter speaks. These blanket racist statements help us understand why you are so fanatical about the PPP. This and "black people are the scourge of the earth", "black people eat ants" and other derogatory statements aimed at an entire race by PPP people who posted here.

Baseman, Nehru, drugb, raise yuh hand. Nasty racist dogs.

@Former Member posted:

...a diehard PPP supporter speaks. These blanket racist statements help us understand why you are so fanatical about the PPP. This and "black people are the scourge of the earth", "black people eat ants" and other derogatory statements aimed at an entire race by PPP people who posted here.

Baseman, Nehru, drugb, raise yuh hand. Nasty racist dogs.

That is a reflection of your mental capacity.  Sheer garbage.  You are a PNC stooge and die-hard supporter. From out of your own mind, you are the scourge of the earth. Remember you said that not me.   

You are also nasty to the PPP boys who posted here. You said it., again.

@Former Member posted:

Linden Hospital CEO removed

March 2, 2021, Source - https://www.inewsguyana.com/li...ospital-ceo-removed/

He said he explained that among the several challenges the Linden Hospital Complex experiences a situation whereby a small number of staff members is signing in to work and then disappearing until the end of their shifts.

Noted behavior among teef man Guyanese. Getting paid for nothing, disappearing all day and then showing up end of the day and on payday.

Right hay on this forum you got some Indian ones that do this shit all day while getting paid from their employers. Fkkers deserve to be fired. Lazy ass bitches teefing time while mekking law and breaking law ALL DAY pon GNI and elsewhere. SMFH.

@Ramakant-P god, you're stupid. there are no words.....

@Mitwah posted:

You are from a lineage of inbreds, it's a wonder that you have any teeth.

Wow!