Situated on the ground floor of the administrative building, it is through that facility members of the public are more likely to get responses to their concerns, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said, at the launching, that the initiative is aimed at making GPH user/client friendly.

“This office is one more step in the direction of providing some answers,” he said.

According to him, the section is not intended merely to give information and receive complaints but to evolve, over time into the client relationship office.

However, persons who seek information about the various departments and updates on medical cases could derive some satisfaction through this networking system, Ramsammy said.

“Amerindians or other people who come from the hinterland do not know where to go and who to talk to…I saw people come into the accidents and emergency and, yes, the patients are directed into the emergency room but then the family is left lost,” the Minister observed.

He challenged staff in the new department to make sure the area outside the Intensive Care Unit is more comfortable for visitors and families and to conduct an open forum quarterly for the airing of public views and concerns.

Ramsammy said he had put forward the proposal almost three years ago and the Ministry of Health will now make it mandatory for other public hospitals to develop similar offices, after the one at GPH facilitates the training of the necessary personnel.

The Minister said the GPH staffers in the new division will be required to prepare quarterly reports of lodged complaints.

Director of Nursing, Matron Loretta Alexander said the section would enhance the relationship between the hospital and the public.

Director of Administration Services, Mr Leslie Cadogan agreed it would help the public to better understand the institution where they are working towards providing a higher standard of services.

GINA said the innovation is under the supervision of Ms Hazel Williams, with staffing by GPH and public volunteers but friends of the hospital are also expected to assist.