Attacks on medical staff ‘unacceptable’

The Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) has condemned any form of attack on medical staff, urging Barbadians to exercise greater empathy and respect for the healthcare providers.

In a statement denouncing the action, BAMP’s Public Relations Officer Dr Russell Broome-Webster pointed out that some of them were operating in an already stressful situation and could not afford to deal with any added pressure.

“The Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners condemns all forms of violence against medical staff. We believe that there is absolutely no circumstance when a doctor or nurse in the Accident and Emergency Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), other departments of the QEH, district hospitals, any of the island’s polyclinics or elsewhere should go to work expecting to be verbally or physically assaulted, threatened or harassed by members of the public,” he said.

“This is completely unacceptable. And recurring incidences of violence will lead to demoralization and demotivation of clinical staff. We urge the public therefore to show empathy and respect to those doing their job who may be facing more challenges in the conduct of their duties than are immediately apparent to you. We all need to reflect before we speak or act,” he said.

This comes on the heels of calls by Minister of Health Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Bostic for the public to stop the virtual attack on staff at the isolation facility at Harrison’s Point in St Lucy.

It also comes in response to reports that some patients were physically and verbally attacking staff at the QEH.

In his statement, Dr Broome-Webster also urged medical professionals to remain calm in the circumstances while urging improved communication between medical staff and patients.

“It is also critically important that medical staff facing a great deal of psychological stress in these trying COVID times remain calm and measured in their responses, conduct themselves with decency and understanding and demonstrate empathy and respect when dealing with the public,” he said.

“Good communication is essential between medical staff and patients. All efforts on the part of our health institutions to promote better communication will lead to improved healthcare for all,” he added. (MM)