Health Minister Says Healthcare Workers Facing ‘Literal Burnout’

By S.Browne. Updated 11:20 a.m., Thursday, June 25, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Health Minister Daniel Cummings says healthcare workers across the public health system are experiencing “literal burnout”, as the ministry moves to strengthen support systems for staff through a newly established human resource management (HRM) unit.

Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the Office of the Prime Minister, Cummings said one of the greatest surprises he encountered after assuming responsibility for the health portfolio was discovering that the ministry had operated for years without a dedicated unit focused on human resource management.

“I want to tell you that the Ministry of Health … has been surviving without having a unit that addresses matters related to human resource management all these years,” he said.

“And for me, it was one of the greatest shocks having taken up this responsibility.”

The minister said the ministry has since moved to establish a human resource management team aimed at addressing longstanding concerns raised by healthcare workers.

“I want to tell you that we have moved thus far to create a team of competent people, motivated people, to help us address the issues of HRM in the ministry,” Cummings said.

He said the initiative comes amid growing concerns about staff welfare across the healthcare system. “I want to tell you that our staff are facing burnout, literal burnout. The nurses, the doctors, the technicians, the supporting staff, they have been complaining year after year after year, and it seems to them that no one is listening. That has changed.”

According to Cummings, the new HRM team will focus not only on recruitment and retention but also on staff support and professional development.

“Our HRM team is committed, committed to doing what is necessary not only to retain and to train, but to counsel and empower staff so that the ultimate goal, my friends, of enhancing the level of care we offer to the population and to visitors is enhanced through the development and strengthening of the team in the Ministry of Health.”

Later in his remarks, the minister addressed media reports he said portrayed staff at the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre as uncaring and incompetent.

“If you have been like me, following what’s happening in the various media of news, there have been a series of articles that painted the staff at our Mental Health Institute as being not caring and incompetent, of not being qualified to do the work they are supposed to do,” he said.

Cummings argued that such portrayals did not accurately reflect the work being carried out by mental health staff.

“These kinds of reporting without any form of investigation are not only dishonest, but they have a very serious impact on the psyche of our people.”

He also defended the competence of mental health professionals within the public healthcare system, saying the government would not knowingly place unqualified individuals in positions responsible for the care of vulnerable patients.

“After all, if a government would put in place an institution to look after the mental health of our people and appoint people who do not have the competence to do that work, then that government needs to be removed.”

The press conference also addressed mental health services and preparations for the upcoming carnival season.

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