DLP presses for urgent action on A&E surge 

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) on Monday urged the authorities to move swiftly to tackle mounting overcrowding and long delays at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department, warning that Barbados’ main public healthcare facility is buckling under unprecedented pressure.

The hospital reported a surge of more than 100 patients daily on Monday, forcing management to redirect doctors and nurses to the A&E Department to ensure that urgent cases receive timely attention.

Senator Andre Worrell, the DLP’s spokesperson for health and wellness, said public concern has grown over both the extended wait times and the deteriorating conditions inside the department.

“Barbados’ only trauma-capable public hospital is now under unsustainable strain due to a surge in violent crime and serious accidents, rising influenza and respiratory illness cases, and chronic shortages in medical staff, funding, supplies, and medication,” Senator Worrell said.

The party outlined several measures aimed at reducing wait times to under 24 hours and restoring public confidence in the healthcare system:

• Extended polyclinic services: Immediate extension of polyclinic operating hours to 7 p.m. on weekdays and weekends, redirecting influenza and non-trauma cases away from A&E to ease overcrowding.
• Emergency staffing initiative: A coordinated national engagement with the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners, Barbados Nurses Association, private doctors, and medical schools to support extended clinic hours and surge coverage.
• Evening GP and family medicine clinics at QEH: Utilise vacant clinic spaces after daytime hours to run outpatient services until 11 p.m., diverting non-emergency patients from A&E into structured care streams.
• Restore medication supplies: Stabilise the national medication supply chain through supplementary funding and improved ordering practices, ensuring patients have access to essential drugs.

Senator Worrell described the situation at QEH as a “crisis of poor planning” rather than a natural disaster. “Despite billions borrowed and millions in healthcare grants received since COVID-19, Barbadians are experiencing worsening access, longer waits, and declining service quality,” he said. “This represents a fundamental failure of governance.”

The DLP reaffirmed its readiness to take action. “We have listened to the people. We have solutions and are ready to govern, restoring dignity, efficiency, and care to Barbados’ healthcare system,” Senator Worrell added.