LHC divorces St John’s Ambulance Brigade after 13 years

After thirteen years the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) divorced the St John’s Ambulance
Brigade. In the writ, LHC cited shortcomings in its services, prohibitive costs and perennial
shortcomings of its staff.
“They were very inefficient and even though their cost was exceptionally high we sought to
continue with them, but the hospital couldn’t continue as their work output was gravely low,”
said a senior official who spoke on conditions of anonymity to this publication.
During the 13-year marriage between St. John’s and the LHC, the nuptial survived via annual
contract renewal ceremony witnessed by the Ministry of Health with the National Procurement
and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) legalising the certificate.
As part of its duty in the marriage, the ambulance service provided dispatching services;
complemented the LHC’s transportation fleet including its ambulances, and provided basic First
Aid Services.
But cracks began to surface in the marriage. Affection form spouse began to diminish that by
December 31 last year divorce was the only option. The writ of divorcement was sent to
Administrative Officer, Mr. Trevor Vangendren
The government wanted more from the marriage and one of its off springs said so plainly.
“It is imperative to note that the Hospital is in the process of improving the quality of care
provided to residents of Region 10 (Upper Demerara – Berbice), and in so doing we have
decided that the services provided by the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade must be of a higher
standard,” a senior LHC official explained.

“We are turning things around here by providing quality service to the residents of Linden and
Region Ten,” another of its children said countering criticisms of those who chastised the
plaintiff blaming him for throwing many in the bread line.
It became clear there was a deep rift in the marriage because children began taking sides and
highlighting curious elements in the marital pact.
“Importantly, again, St John’s employees were just contracted to the complex. They were not
employed by the Linden Hospital Complex. Therefore, the responsibility is on St. John’s
Ambulance Brigade to address issues that the employees face presently,” another senior
employee reiterated.
Another was more gracious in talking to www.aroundtheregions.com : “We understand that there
is increasing worry among our staff about their future at our institution and we would like to
assure them that their jobs are secure. Our sole intention is to continuously improve the services
provided at the Linden Hospital Complex, working collectively as a team.”
Meanwhile, several doctors and nurses applauded the public split. One chosen as the
spokesperson said this: “The decision to not renew the contract for the St. John Ambulance
Brigade is being hailed by several doctors and nurses as a step in the right direction in taking the
services at the LHC to another level. Therefore, it is the view of many that it was a well-timed
and excellent decision that will rebound in holistic improvement in several other areas.”