New leaders announce ‘team approach’ to medicine

New leaders representing medical doctors have signalled an intention to build fresh bridges and foster greater communication among other care-givers and the public.

Following a successful no-confidence motion brought against the executive council of the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) at its annual general meeting last Friday, newly-elected president Dr Lynda Williams on Monday announced the adoption of a “team approach” to Barbadian medicine.

In announcing a departure from the previous leadership’s stance, Dr Williams, who succeeded Dr Abdon DaSilva, told Barbados TODAY: “One of the things that I hope to do differently is to foster a spirit of unity between the medical profession, nursing profession and the para-medical profession. That is something that hasn’t been a priority really before in terms of seeing how we could support each other

“For example, in COVID, other medical professions like dentistry and so on, we all found ourselves in the same boat. We all found ourselves trying to protect ourselves, trying to get PPE and so. And so, working together, we were able to achieve them,” the BAMP spokesperson pointed out.

Dr Wliiams identified the relationship between doctors and nurses as a priority area that cries out for positive change.

“The relationship between the nursing profession and doctors over the years has not been the best, but we want to be able to see a team approach to medicine, working together as a team,” she told Barbados TODAY.

While stressing that everyone in the health sector is an important part of the practice of medicine, she gave the assurance that no one would be taken for granted under the new BAMP leadership.

Dr Williams said: “We want all of us to see, respect, honour each other and work together in better harmony. When we have better communication between doctors…between doctors and the public; between doctors and the other medical professions and the nursing profession, only then will we see a change, I believe, in the landscape of medicine in Barbados.”

The new BAMP head also cited improved representation of its members as another priority.

She told Barbados TODAY such representation will apply to all stages of development in the careers of members.

The new AMP executive council will also seek to ensure doctors are working in safe and acceptable employment conditions, particularly during this COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our other priority is to represent the health interests of the Barbadian public and to advocate on matters of national interest, particularly with respect to health and particularly in this time of COVID-19,” Dr Williams added.

She noted that sharing among professionals is the type of attitude the new leadership wants to develop.

In commenting on the significance of the election results, Dr Geoffrey LaFond, who had acted as president briefly during the tenure of the previous BAMP council and was returned last Friday, described the poll as a demonstration of the general members’ feelings.

“They were a bit distressed at the last council’s inability to engage with the public, especially as regards to COVID, all that’s happening, and the disconnect between the council and the general membership,” Dr LaFond told Barbados TODAY.

“And we hope that the new council will bridge that disconnect and there be greater dialogue with the public with regards to the major health issues, that is, COVID that is occurring at present.”

During the AGM held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC) and online, the unprecedented motion of no confidence in the BAMP Council was passed despite attempts to disallow it,

The entire BAMP Council was asked to resign and to seek a new mandate of support from BAMP’s general body.

“Sweeping changes were instituted with a fresh, new young council instituted. Voting members showed their displeasure with the incumbent council and its handling of the association’s affairs,” an official close to the developments told Barbados TODAY.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb