Bodoe, a senior gynaecologist, also clarified that he was not part of the independent committee appointed by the ministry to lead the Boodoo-Ramsoomair investigation over the next two weeks. He continued to plead that the suspension in this matter were not punitive, but a measure to protect the public and staff as well as the reputation of the authority. Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Dr Sunil Persad, who sat in on the news conference with Bodoe, admitted that the severe staff shortage was further affected by the loss of five doctors on suspension. Bodoe assured measures were put in place to ensure services at the hospital were not adversely affected by the suspension. On the issue of surgeries being cancelled, Bodoe said he was surprised by the report and also gave the assurance that the arrangements would be made to accommodate the 20 patients, whose surgeries have been postponed, at the hospital or private institutions. He said the SWRHA felt strongly that patients were not inconvenienced in any way.