Thompson: Exceptional care at Harrisons Point facility

The Harrisons Point isolation facility has been described as a “world-class” institution, which offers “exceptional care”.

Coordinator of the COVID-19 Communications Unit, Ambassador Elizabeth Thompson, expressed this view during the COVID-19 update and press conference, at Ilaro Court on Saturday.

Ambassador Thompson spent 22 days at the St Lucy based facility last year after she had tested positive for the virus, on her return to Barbados.

“Harrisons Point and the isolation facilities are not luxury hotels; they are not homes; they are medical facilities. I can tell you that the care is exceptional, and I was not treated any differently to any other patient.

“I saw what other patients received; it was all the same. Dr Corey Forde and the team that he leads are exceptional health professionals; even the cleaners and support staff – whether it’s the lab technicians, the people who do x-rays – the medical care is exceptional, it is world-class.”

She stressed that no one who went into the isolation facilities said that he or she did not receive exceptional care.

“They may not have liked the idea that they were not at home; they may not have liked the idea that they couldn’t do exactly what they liked, when they liked, all the time. But this is a medical facility and like being in any other hospital, there is a structure and there are rules that you have to follow. I didn’t like getting up early in the morning, but I had to,” she pointed out.

Ambassador Thompson urged members of the public to be truthful when those involved in the COVID-19 Evaluation Survey visit homes in the communities in the coming days to collect vital information to save lives.

“I encourage all Barbadians, if you think you have the symptoms, don’t hide it, try to be truthful with those coming around doing the survey,” she insisted.

Being honest, she stressed, could save a person’s life and that of their loved ones, because if they test positive, they will be taken into isolation to get the needed care.