The new geriatric hospital is to be constructed in two phases at Waterford, St Michael and should be completed in just under two years at a cost of $1.307 million for phase one of the project.
No projections have yet been made for the cost of phase two of the three-storey state-of-the-art facility, as officials are hoping that donations will make up a large chunk of that cost.
During a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, Manager of the St Michael District Hospital, more commonly known as the Geriatric Hospital, Heather Payne-Drakes said the new complex was coming at an opportune time.
“With 278 clients, we have now outgrown the existing facility, which was not intended to provide the level of clinical care that is now delivered,” she told the gathering, which included a number of government ministers and government agency representatives, officials from the Barbados Association of Retired Persons and several elderly residents.
“The current site has deteriorated over time and there are inherent challenges in its maintenance with constant need for urgent repairs and renovations,” she said. Over the past five years an average of about $300 000 has been spent on annual maintenance.
Payne-Drakes said having a new facility that was “fit for the purpose of delivering quality healthcare” was therefore a necessity.
“All staff members are looking forward to having access to amenities such as a cafeteria, lunchrooms, staff room and lounges that are currently not available. Having adequate space to conduct all administrative functions on site will also be a welcomed feature of the facility,” she said.
She said the 139-year-old Beckles Road, St Michael facility currently has a staff of 367, including 231 nurses, five medical practitioners, an infection control officer, a dietician, social workers and a rehabilitation therapist.
“The decision to create a new geriatric facility in Barbados, which will increase the capacity for care, is timely given the current population and health trends. The demand for long-term medical care for the elderly is expected to rise, requiring an increase for staffing and accommodation for clients,” said Payne-Drakes.
She said while the number of people being referred to the facility fell to 195 last year from 294 in 2019, and admissions fell to 34 last year from a high of 141 a year prior, that number was expected to rise this year.
“In the first two months of this year, 44 referrals were received, representing a 91 per cent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2022. The immediate need to meet the demands of healthcare services for the rapidly-increasing aged population cannot be overstated,” she said.
With the new facility expected to facilitate some 300 clients in its first phase and ultimately 408 clients upon completion, the hospital administrator said it will require just over 500 staff members, which would include “a lot more physiotherapy specialists” and more medical practitioners.
Giving an overview of the project, Managing Director of Steinbok Management Services, manager of the project, Joseph Steinbok said the modern, purpose-built facility was being built with consideration for the residents, staff and management.
“The construction is scheduled to be completed in 83 weeks from today,” Steinbok told the gathering.
Phase one will consist of the main hospital building, which will house 300 beds over three storeys, 10 lounges (one for every two wards), two treatment rooms per floor, a rehabilitation unit outfitted with gym and pool for therapeutic services, a daycare facility, staff offices and amenities and ancillary services.
In phase two, officials are expected to add space for another 105 bedrooms and six lounges.
“The project has been designed to international building codes and takes into account the use of the buildings. It also accommodates for the effects of climate change and hurricane and earthquake loadings have also been accounted for,” said Steinbok.
“This building is also being designed to operate with its windows closed and without air conditioning should we suffer from an ash cloud similar to the event we had a few years ago,” he said.
He said among the features of the new facility will be a tertiary waste-water treatment for all sewage and waste-water, which is to be used for irrigation and flushing of toilets, while a number of photovoltaic panels are to be installed on the roof to help provide electricity.
The construction is to be led by C.O Williams Construction, and include Preconco Ltd, Versatile Construction Inc.
The project is being executed by the Barbados Tourism Investment Inc (BTI) on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb
