B’dos get thumbs up from visiting nurses

United States-based Barbadian nurses who have come to the island to volunteer to care for COVID-19 patients have given Barbados’ healthcare system top marks for the management of the health crisis.

The group of eight nurses from the Barbados American Nurses Association Inc, who have all been at the forefront of the COVID-19 battle at their hospitals in the U.S, are based at the Harrison Point Isolation Facility.

During a media briefing today, President of the Barbados Nurses Association of America Inc, Dr Cicely Wilkinson said although the team began work on Monday and immediately felt why nurses in Barbados are beginning to feel overwhelmed, they were extremely impressed with the facility and also the comradery among the workers.

Sonia Forde, a nurse of 34 years, said in some instances, it appears that Barbados has better equipment than what she has seen in other places. She said that with the limited human resources available, significant effort is being made to care for COVID patients.

“You don’t really know who the physicians are because I am seeing the physicians and they are doing work that the nurses in my area do. So, I am really impressed and the social media I must say did no justice and it is totally unfair and it’s irresponsible for the individuals that did it. And I am not saying this because we are here, but I am saying this as a nurse that cares for patients and seeing the level of care that is performed here. You don’t have enough staff and I think they are doing a great job,” Forde added.

Dr Wilkinson said the medical missionary team was put together following an appeal from Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley who during her visit to New York this year asked for nurses to come home as soon as possible to help the country battle the surge.

She said although the seven Barbadian nurses and one Trinidadian will only be here for between one to two weeks, as they have to return to work in the U.S, others will be joining throughout November once they have met the required checklist.

The president said: “We are also hoping to do some training for the nurses on how to place intravenous fluids so that they can help the doctors place IVs. We are here to volunteer but we are using our own vacation and we are paying our passage to come. We are working Monday to Saturday and some of us are on the plane Sunday.”

Dr Wilkinson also said that her team has been advising unvaccinated patients about the need for them to get vaccinated and for them to encourage others to do the same.

Director of Nursing Services at the QEH Henderson Pinder said the QEH was grateful for the presence of the experienced nurses qualified in areas including critical and emergency care. Pinder said their presence will give some local nurses who have been working long hours in recent months, some period of rest.

“With this medical team coming on the ground, they will provide the nurses with a chance to just sit back and slow their pace sometimes and get a chance to just get a breather.

“They are here to work, some of them are administrators, but they are here to work as registered nurses. On behalf of the people of Barbados I want to thank them immensely for their contribution to healthcare at this time.”

According to Pinder, the visiting nurses will offer suggestions on new practices and techniques involved in the treatment of COVID-19. He further indicated that while 45 Cuban nurses came to Barbados a few days ago, 32 are returning and 12 are new additions who have to undergo orientation. He noted that in the meantime, Barbadian nurses are currently being trained in the area of critical care, particularly to work at the Harrison Point Facility.

Pinder said: “We are also looking to, in the near future, make some visits to Ghana and other countries where we can recruit additional nurses to help us out”.