Projects/Programmes Improving Health Care Management Human Resource Development Cabinet approval received in 2012 for the Aides to Nursing Programme which will provide support services to the Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nursing Assistants. Implemented Aides to Nursing Program in April 2012. Cabinet approval received for 135 new foreign nurses and doctors to address existing vacancies within the public health sector. Conducted Student Volunteer Programme in July 2012. Student volunteers aged 14 to 18 years from several secondary schools participated in this initiative completing forty (40) hours of volunteer service at public health institutions. In November 2012, the Ministry of Health introduced Dictionary of Careers in the Health Sector for placement in schools and distribution at career health fairs.
Costing of Health Services Project Specialized Multidisciplinary Cardiac Clinic in Pregnancy Developed the National Health Information Systems Strategic Plan Registry/Document Management System The Ministry of Health undertook a Costing of Health Services Project in which selected public and private health institutions throughout Trinidad and Tobago to determine their cost. This project will support the implementation of the National Health Insurance System (NHIS) and facilitate the improvement in the management of public healthcare institutions. The Costing of Health Services Project was completed in May 2012. Launched first Specialized Multidisciplinary Cardiac Clinic in Pregnancy at the Mt. Hope Maternity Hospital in October 2012. This plan (2012-2016) has been created and approved, and has used the guidelines of the Health Metrics Network (HMN) framework, set out by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO). The system went live on August 27th 2012 at the Registry Department of the Head Office, resulting in a central suppository which supplements the manual filing system.
ADT Forms Processing: This module of the Medical Management System (MMS) was rolled out at the San Fernando General Hospital on February 23rd, 2012. E-Health Initiatives E-Health Card Integration: Card printers were supplied and delivered to the new Scarborough General Hospital and the St. James Breast Clinic and integrated into the Patient Registration module of the MMS. System Rollout: The system is currently being implemented at the POS General Hospital. Health Information Management System (HIMS) Project Plan System Evaluation: The process for defining and creating reports at the San Fernando General Hospital has started. The Health Information Management System (HIMS) project plan has been approved by the Ministry of Health. The RFP is now being revised for tender.
Launched Online Medical Library: EBSCO Host PABX Voice and Data Communications upgrade for the Ministry of Health Head Office and Vertical Services, National and Special programmes Project The Medical Library has been configured to be accessed remotely via the internet. In 2012 the Medical Library site was searched approximately 60, 000 times. The upgrade of the PBX facilities at the Ministry of Health Head Office has been completed and stakeholders are welcomed by an automated telephone system that offers dial options for the Ministry of Health s services. MoH Head Office Email Migration All the user accounts at the Ministry s Head Office, including Park Plaza offices, have been migrated onto a new network domain, resulting in approximately 400 users being able to access their email at points external to the Ministry. Standardization of project tools and templates for projects in the MoH. Project Management Guidelines Manual completed and implemented in MoH. Biomedical Maintenance policy and procedure guidelines manual completed jointly with the Biomedical Departments at the RHAs
Development of a Project Management Framework Project Board established at the Ministry of Health. All new projects are submitted with the completion of a Project Charter for Board approval. Project Repository developed jointly with ICT and is to be fully implemented in 2013 with the establishment of a single Reporting Template. Quality Assurance: Supporting Patient s Rights through Quality Standards, Policies and Legislation Evaluation of the CDAP Evaluation of the CDAP Programme has been completed and a report submitted for review. National Infection Prevention and Control Policies and Guidelines Manual An Infection Prevention and Control Polices and Guidelines Manual to ensure high quality health care and consistency across all health facilities has been developed, approved and distributed to the RHAs. Adaption and Issuance of the WHO Safe Surgical Checklist The WHO Safe Surgical Checklist, an international best practice tool used by the relevant clinical teams to improve the safety of surgery, was adapted and is being implemented in all operating theatres within the RHAs.
Development of Obstetric and Midwifery Standard Operating Protocol Establishment of Performance Monitoring Teams Service Delivery Award for National Blood Bank Wow! The Customer with the Good Idea Customer Service Initiative Obstetric and Midwifery Standard Operating Protocol to ensure high quality health care and consistency across all health facilities has been developed by health professionals of the MoH and RHAs and manuals have been printed and distributed to the RHAs. Performance monitoring team appointed to assess and improve the Regional Health Authorities performance with respect to the implementation of the Annual Services Agreement (ASA). In December 2012, the National Blood Bank received the Public Service Award for Service Delivery at the Ministry of Public Administration s Public Services Award Gala: From Gold to Diamond, which recognised the contribution of public service agencies to the nation s development for the past 50 years. Launched and implemented Wow! The Customer with the Good Idea Customer Service Initiative at the Ministry of Health and Regional Health Authorities in October 2012. To date, the employees of the Public Health Sector have contributed more than 100 ideas.
Regional Health Authorities (Amendment) Regulations The Emergency Ambulance Services and Emergency Medical Personnel Regulations The government of Trinidad and Tobago passed the Regional Health Authorities (Amendment) Regulations. The government of Trinidad and Tobago passed the Emergency Ambulance Services and Emergency Medical Personnel Regulations. Reducing the Prevalence of Communicable Diseases, including HIV/AIDS HIV Annual Caribbean HIV Testing Day with 2,279 answering the call in one day to get tested. World AIDS Day 2012 National Testing event attracted 3, 127 persons. Addressing Chronic Disease and Mental Health Fat the Fight T&T Wellness Revolution Campaign Implement the Fight the Fat T&T Wellness Revolution Campaign. Fight the Fat Caravans held throughout the various health regions.
Childhood Healthy Lifestyle Camp: The Wee Fit Camp Launched HPV Vaccination Health Seminar on the Future of Herbal Medicine Risk Factor Survey (STEPS) Kidney Transplantation Childhood Healthy Lifestyle Camp, 'The Wee Fit Camp' conducted for (50) children aged 7-12 years old from primary schools in July 2012. The children who participated in the Wee Fit Camp are currently enrolled in the Childhood Healthy Lifestyle Clinic at the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital. Launched HPV vaccine sensitization and education phase, for all stake-holders including health workers, media, school children, PTA, religious groups in September 2012. HPV vaccine to be administered in schools to girls between the ages of 11 and 12 in January 2013. Hosted Health Seminar on the Future of Herbal Medicine in T&T in October 2012. Approximately two hundred (200) persons attended this seminar. Released the Final Report of the Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCD) Risk Factor (STEPS) Survey in December 2012. Two (2) patients had successful kidney transplant surgery at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in December 2012.
Organ Transplantation Training Organ Transplantation (TPM) Training with DTI in Spain. Gift to the Nation National Wellness Fest National Blood Donor Walk National Mental Health Policy Mental Health Awareness & Sensitization Gift to the Nation 50 th Anniversary Celebrations: the Ministry of Health hosted a National Wellness Fest, Trini Food Makeover & 5K in August 2012. The Ministry of Health hosted a National Blood Donor Walk, which attracted approximately 3,000 persons in June 2012. Stakeholder consultation was done on the National Mental Health Policy, which is awaiting final approval. Mental Health Staff Drama Competition held in all Regional Health Authorities in September 2012 and concluded with a regional final held in October 2012 to sensitize the public and raise awareness of key mental health diseases and treatment.
Improving Physical Infrastructure of Public Health Care Facilities Construction of New Hospitals: 1. Couva Children shospital 2. Arima Hospital 3. Point Fortin Hospital 4. Sangre Grande Hospital 5. Chancery Lane Teaching Hospital The following was completed for the new hospitals for start of construction in 2013: Couva Children s Hospital- User Brief and preliminary designs (75%) completed. Final Hospital Designs Development ongoing for completion in January 2013. Enabling works started in November 2012. Arima Hospital User Brief completed and project was tendered. Point Fortin Hospital- User Brief and Feasibility Study completed and submitted to Ministry of Finance to inform negotiations for govt. to govt. concessional loan financing. Cabinet approval received for a new site for the construction of the new Point Fortin Hospital. Sangre Grande Hospital- Preliminary User Brief completed and is currently being developed with the ERHA.
Projects/Programmes Hospital Physical Infrastructure Development Strategy Primary Care Infrastructure Development Strategy Construction of New Insect Vector Control Head Office and Chemical Warehouse Facility Scarborough General Hospital Start of commissioning of the new Chancery Lane Teaching Hospital Implementation of the MOH 10 year development plan for the construction of 5 new modern hospitals and the upgrade of other hospitals. Implementation of the Primary Health Care Infrastructure Development Programme over a 4 year planning period. Construction of the new Insect Vector Control Division Head office and Warehouse in Cunupia was significantly advanced and would be completed in January 2013. The phased commissioning of the new Scarborough General Hospital was done in April 2012 with a full transfer of services completed on December 15, 2012. The new hospital features the implementation of a patient registration service, a component of the MMS, which will properly identify every patient interfacing with healthcare services, with the aid of an E-health card, which shall be the primary means by which patients/beneficiaries shall access the health services offered in Trinidad and Tobago.
Construction of new Primary Care Facilities Upgrade Works: Refurbishment of C40 Building Specialized Procurement: New Equipment Planning works was completed for RFPs to be tendered in January 2013 for the following Primary Care Facilities: Sangre Grande Enhanced Health Centre Carenage Health Centre San Fernando Enhanced Health Centre Palo Seco Health Centre Expansion of Couva DHF Phase 1 works completed in 2012 as follows: Upgrade of kitchen area, washroom areas of management, visitors and workers. Refurbishment to Purchasing Department and Management Offices. Paving of the western yard. The following specialized procurement activities were undertaken: Point of Care Testing equipment installed and commissioned at the various RHAs Cell Saver equipment installed and commissioned at various RHAs Dental equipment and accessories ordered for specific health centres Chromatograph Analyser purchased for Chemistry
Food and Drugs Priority List of equipment completed for procurement by Princess Elizabeth Centre Optometry equipment ordered for RHA to support UWI training programme Equipment Specifications completed for Cardiac equipment under the John Hopkins/UTT initiative. Ministry of Health Gym and Wellness Centre Construction of new UWI Training Facilities and Medical Students Accommodation at San Fernando General Hospital Opened new Ministry of Health Gym and Wellness Centre in March 2012 to encourage staff to lower their risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke. Opened new UWI Training Facilities and Medical Students Accommodation at the San Fernando General Hospital. Upgrade Works: NWRHA Upgrade of new CSSD completed and handover to NWRHA.
Upgrade Works: NCRHA Upgrade works at the EWMSC - the following projects were completed in 2012: Upgrade of the Nurse Call system Installation of a new Fire Detection and Alarm System Roofs Rehabilitation Installation and Commission of Variable Frequency Drives and Modulating Valves Upgrade works at the Women s Hospital: Construction Project was tendered in November 2012 with close of submissions on 3 January 2013 for the design build of the new Outpatients Building with Colposcopy Suite Regional Health Authorities NWRHA: Health Services Successful completion of the Women s Clinic at the St. James Medical Complex in October 2012. The present capacity includes approximately 3,000 women.
Services at this clinic include: - Breast Biopsies - Ultrasounds - Breast reconstructive surgeries The Haematology Analyser was installed and commissioned at the St. James Medical complex. Emergency Services at the St James District Health Facility fully functional in mid- February 2012. Radiology and Point of Care testing services available on site. The introduction of the Health Smart card at the fully configured St. James Medical Complex Expansionof the capacity for integration of Health Information System, and the Pharmacy Information System The acquisition of the School Health Screening Programme from the ambit of the Ministry of Health. The Ministry has transferred seven (7) trained School Health Screening Assistants to the Authority to ensure the successful continuity of the screening programme.
The establishment of the Project Management Office as per a mandate from the Minister of Health. In keeping with an objective set by the Ministry, key professionals were recruited to staff the NWRHA s Project Management Unit: Project Manager, Senior Project Officer (Mechanical), Senior Project Officer (Civil), Site Control Officer (Civil), Site Control Officer (Mechanical), Auto Cad Draughtsman Commissioning of the Emergency Operating Centre at Port of Spain General Hospital Extended Opening Hours at Petit Valley, Maraval and Woodbrook Health Centres NWRHA: HR Introduction of the Diabetes Dashboard Database at Health Centres in St. George West and St. George Central in collaboration with the John Hopkins International In light of the outlined repercussions of staff shortages, the Authority continued to operate a prolific recruitment system to attract valuable personnel for vacant positions. It is noted that there were approximately Eight Hundred and Fifty One (851) New Hires over the last two years.
The acquisition of Rapport staff and services in a seamless and efficient manner. The Authority now has a major role to play in the execution of public awareness programmes addressing the issue of HIV and AIDS. Opened Oncology Unit at San Fernando General Hospital. New DM Programme at SFGH - four doctors were accepted into the first Doctor of Medicine programme in ENT in Trinidad. The programme started in September 2012. Commenced Endoscopy services in April 2012. SWHRA: Health Services Commenced Breast Clinic in September 2012. Created new Cardiac Care Department and cardiac clinic on 25th July 2011 and began another clinic in OPC on 8th May 2012 with doctors from the Cardiac Care Department and Internal Medicine providing services and Nursing coverage. Commenced PaceMaker Implantation in June 2012. Launched the Caroni South Cluster Support Group in June 2012.
New staff for the Obstetric Theatre Recruitment of Anaesthetist and Nursing for the commencement of elective and emergency caesareans and other related surgeries in the dedicated Obstetrics Theatre. In April 2012 the Orthopaedic Department began its very own Trauma list in Main Operating Theatre, which operates 24 hours. Training for Eye Surgeons- SWRHA signed an MOU with the University of Utah s John A. Moran Eye Centre in July2012 for the ongoing training fellowship in the area of Cataract Surgeries. ERHA: Health Services Hosted Caribbean Wellness Day in September2012 at the Gulf City Mall. Completed two New Wards to house Orthopaedics and Urology patients. This area will also accommodate the expansion of the Physiotherapy and Oncology Clinic. Extended Hours at the Sangre Grande Hospital Pharmacy introduced as at October 1, 2012. Introduced x-ray services at the Biche Outreach Centre and Cumuto.
Extended hours for selected clinics at Biche, Manzanilla, Cumuto and Valencia from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Introduced ultrasound services at the Mayaro District Health Facility and Sangre Grande Health Center. ERHA: Upgrade Works Completed the Master Plan for the Toco Health Centre to include an Accident and Emergency and staff quarters. Designed, constructed & outfitted the Sangre Grande Hospital with a fourth Operating Theatre and relocated Endoscopy Unit thereby increasing the number of surgeries at the Hospital and reducing waiting times for surgeries. Designed, constructed&outfitted the Sangre Grande Hospital s Non-Invasive Cardiology Department thereby introducing new services such as investigations, detection and treatment of Rhythm abnormalities, Valvular and Coronary Vascular Disease with Echocardiogram, Holter Monitoring and Stress Testing