Gov’t finding it ‘difficult’ to fill Psychiatrist post – Health Minister

The Ministry of Health is seeking to fill five vacancies at the Mental Health Centre, including the post of a Consultant Psychiatrist, which has been vacant for a while now.

Minister of Health, St ClairJimmy Prince, said in Parliament last week that vacancies also exist at the institution for a Senior Nursing Officer, a Registrar, a Ward Manager and an Occupational Therapist.

Minister Prince gave the details in Parliament on July 18, 2024 in response to a question from New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Parliament, Daniel Cummings.

Cummings’ question revolved around the absence of a Psychiatrist at the Mental Health Centre for a prolonged period.

Minister Prince said that the recruitment process for a Psychiatrist “ has been very difficult.”

In April 2023, the Ministry of Health secured the services of a Consultant Psychiatrist, almost four years after the previous professional had resigned.

However, the vacancy was filled for only a short while as the Psychiatrist resigned in August, 2023.

Since then, there has been no Psychiatrist on duty. Minister Prince however stated that his ministry is now in discussions with two local medical schools to get a Psychiatrist for the Mental Health Centre.

In the interim, the ministry is at the “final stages” of agreeing with a resident Psychiatrist to provide support to the centre.

Prince said the ministry is also now reviewing three offers to partner with psycho social groups to fill the gap.

The Minister spoke of the need to be creative and finding a way of servicing the needs in this area in the absence of a Psychiatrist.

He said one Vincentian is now in training at the post graduate level at The University of the West Indies.

Additionally, there are six officers in the Ministry of Health with varying levels of psychology training.

He said the most senior such person is a Psychologist, who also has administrative responsibilities.