A major facelift

Building works to “transform” the Accident & Emergency Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital are to start in a “few weeks”, according to Minister of Health and Wellness Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bostic.

The Minister is also promising improved healthcare and greater attention to patients in addition to a major face-lift.

Lt. Col. Bostic made the disclosure during debate on the Appropriations Bill in the House of Assembly on Monday evening.

The Health Minister said: “Within the next few weeks we will start the physical expansion of that department. So far we have been able to relocate utilities to facilitate this expansion.

“The expansion will see the existing space moving from 8,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet. It will consist of a new extension along with the renovation.

“When this is finished we should see an Accident & Emergency larger and more patient-friendly, dedicated, adult and paediatric care spaces.”

Bostic said he was positive that at the end of the redevelopment Barbadians would be pleased with the work done.

“I am sure that Barbadians would be very happy at the end of this exercise. We should see and upgrade to the asthma bay. We should see an expanded reception area with Wi-Fi so that patients can do what they have to do in terms of utilisation of Wi-Fi.

“Two purpose-built triad stations; a dedicated two-bed trauma room; a larger critical care treatment rooms with improved privacy; a dedicated observation room; an expanded internal diagnostics including CT imaging; a larger ambulance garage; and a receiving area for patients arriving by ambulance.

“This is going to transform the Accident & Emergency Department at the QEH,” he told the House.

The minister said some provisional work had already begun to make way for the larger project, which involved moving elderly patients and freeing up available space.

“Some things have happened there already in terms of the provision for short-stay unit then the minor cases unit,” said Bostic. “We have done some work in terms of creating bed space at QEH through the movement of elderly patients to the Geriatric hospital and to senior citizens homes.” (IMC)