Despite more than 100 nurses withdrawing their labour as part of yesterday’s mass strike Chairman of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) Chairman Frank Smith said there was no significant disruption to health services.

The PHA reported that 330 nurses were scheduled to work the 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. shift but only 161 nurses showed up for work, while 166 did not.

Mr. Smith told reporters that the numbers gathered represented employees from three institutions; the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) and Grand Bahama Health Services.

“As regards to services and reportage at PMH, I wish to report that 57 per cent of nursing officers, registered nurses and trained clinical nurses who were scheduled to work the 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. shift reported to work,”

“Hospital services continued as scheduled without significant interruption with the exception the Orthopedic Clinic which had to reduce patient volume. Services in the Casting Room at Orthopedics were not affected and patients were seen. We can also report that all scheduled dialysis patients were seen and received treatment. At Sandilands Rehabilitation Center (SRC) 26 per cent of registered nurses and 47 per cent of trained clinical nurses reported for their 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. shift; 71 per cent of nursing officers reported for their scheduled shift.”

He added that 67 per cent of registered nurses and trained clinical nurses reported for their shift at Grand Bahama Health Services.

The Accident and Emergency Unit at PMH also experienced a reduction in staff as a result of yesterday’s strike, PMH Administrator Mary Walker confirmed that only 64 per cent of employees came to work.

Mr. Smith remained tight lipped on specifically saying what repercussions would be levied against the nurses who took part in the strike.

“Right now this is a matter before the courts and our position is that the strike is illegal and unwarranted so we have not taken anything off the table at this point,” he said.

Overall, he said that the PHA remains committed to providing quality service healthcare, and regards the treatment and well begin their clients as a matter of priority.

It is still unknown as to how the Family Islands were affected as PHA officials said that the Ministry of Health would be responsible for the gaining such information.