Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary paid a visit to Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center to hear from AFT Healthcare-Maryland members about their work conditions. Members have been looking to address state leaders to discuss a number of challenges that are approaching crisis levels at the facility. AFT Healthcare-Maryland has been active in trying to address myriad issues in a number of different ways already, and the appeal to legislative leaders is but another attempt.
The members had the Delegate’s undivided attention as they explained the threat of violence many of the nursing staff face on a daily basis. Those same nurses described problems with mandation and the struggle of being tasked to train their superiors. Physicians in the facility also are fighting an uphill battle. There are only three physicians for nearly 300 patients in the forensic hospital.
The hospital center is in Del. Atterbeary’s district and is of concern to her because of the nature of the patients. Issues at Perkins can become public safety concerns, and she chairs the Public Safety sub-committee in the Maryland House of Delegates.
Watch a statement from Del. Atterbeary’s visit to Perkins Hospital on Facebook.
2019-07-03
