Nearly 250 QEH staff to be recruited over three years, including 150 registered nurses, 20 nurse specialists/nurse practitioners, consultants, registrars, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and paramedics
• Expanded, renovated A&E with doubled cubicles for patient care, dedicated procedure and trauma rooms, and extra staff
• Two new QEH operating theatres within the next financial year, and plans to refurbish the Lions Eye Care Centre to open three additional theatres, totalling 12
• Screening protocols for colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers at polyclinics to enhance early detection and treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
• Replacement of Randal Phillips and Eunice Gibson polyclinics
• Establishment of a Board of Management to oversee polyclinic transformation
• Reforms in mental health services: five action plans for suicide prevention, psychological first aid, workplace wellness, anti-stigma campaign, and maternal mental health, as well as integrating mental health care into communities
Prime Minister Mia Mottley has outlined a comprehensive plan to bolster the country’s healthcare system, addressing concerns and emphasising the nation’s commitment to providing top-quality medical services.
In her Budget speech to the Parliament, Mottley acknowledged public discourse surrounding healthcare, particularly focusing on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, while asserting Barbados’ status as a leader in regional healthcare.
“We have just come out of the worst public health crisis in over a century, impacting our healthcare system,” she said. “It is not my intention to duck the concerns and complaints being made by residents about the healthcare system, particularly the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Make no mistake, Barbados has one of the top healthcare systems and top health institutions in this region and every day, lives are saved.”
But, the prime minister gave an assurance of ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare services, particularly at the QEH, including a significant increase in staffing, with nearly 250 personnel expected to join over three years in a bid to improve operational efficiency.
These increases will include recruiting 150 registered nurses, and 20 nurse specialists/nurse practitioners, along with consultants, registrars, and additional pharmacists, physiotherapists, speech therapists, social workers, paramedics/EMTs and other paramedical staff. This is expected to cost the government an estimated $17 million a year.
Mottley added some of these new hires would add to those already working in the Accident & Emergency Department and would see the wait time for services decrease and improve coverage during the three shifts currently in operation.
The prime minister also updated the Lower Chamber on the work being done on the A&E project, the final phase of which is almost complete. She announced during her budget that remedial work to phase two (the new block) will be completed by May.
“On completion, it will be an expanded facility, where the number of cubicles for patient care will be doubled. In addition, inter alia, there will be a dedicated procedure room, a minor cases room, a larger trauma room, a cardiac-care unit, an x-ray room and a CT-scan room. In addition, the A&E staff complement will be substantially increased with increased numbers of consultants, senior registrars, registered nurses, nursing assistants, orderlies and departmental aides.
“Before the end of the next financial year, the QEH will move from seven to nine theatres being fully operational. Meanwhile, plans are being put in place to repair the roof and refurbish the Lions Eye Care Centre. This will facilitate the opening of three additional theatres, which will bring the total to twelve. With these theatres and the concomitant recruitment of additional surgeons, anaesthetists and their aides will allow for more operating time thus reducing the waiting time for eye, gynaecological and joint replacement surgeries.”
Discussions are underway for a $130 million loan to upgrade equipment, including acquiring an MRI machine and a linear accelerator, she added.
Shifting the focus to primary care at polyclinics, the prime minister highlighted a renewed emphasis on preventing and treating non-communicable diseases (NCDs). “We are implementing screening protocols for colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers,” she announced, underscoring efforts to enhance early detection and treatment.
The prime minister also announced plans for various degrees of refurbishment or expansion and the construction of two replacement polyclinics at Randal Phillips in Oistins, Christ Church and Eunice Gibson at Warrens, St Michael, over the next three years, with a focus on providing resilient facilities.
The government, she added, was currently in talks with the Saudi Fund for Development to finance the project.
To oversee polyclinic transformation, Mottley has proposed establishing a Board of Management, tasked with construction, maintenance, and procurement.
“All the doctors, the nurses, all the doctors, the nurses and core staff will remain in the employment of Central Government but will be working in facilities managed and directed and maintained by this board. This will allow for the efficiency that we need rather than having the complaints of this is not there and that is not there. Somebody must come to work every day to manage the plant, equipment and facilities of the polyclinic system in this country.
“We’re also committed to addressing the challenges . . . and a word to the wise is sufficient. You should see relief coming soon. Special attention is also being paid to ensure that the effective functioning of the 24-hour walk-in clinic at the Wilson Scott Polytechnic is there. Under the . . . the former [Minister of Health] Lieutenant Colonel [Jeffrey] Bostic, we established these extended hours. We are now going to recruit additional staff and additional security to be assigned here. And it is expected that the refurbishment and beautification of that clinic will be completed in three weeks.”
Additionally, mental health reforms are underway, with plans to roll out five action plans catering to suicide prevention, psychological first aid, workplace wellness, an anti-stigma campaign and maternal mental health, and also, integrate mental health care into communities.
“With the transfer of more clients of the outpatient department of the psychiatric hospital to the mental health clinics at the Polyclinics. The plan is to transition the outpatient department to a day hospital with the capacity to treat acute care situations and address various mental health crises while reducing the need for admissions where possible,” Mottley added while introducing measures to support public health infrastructure, including a 50 per cent tax credit for laboratory construction, effective April 1.
“These initiatives aim to ensure Barbados’ healthcare systems and institutions are world-class,” Mottley affirmed, underscoring the government’s commitment to prioritising the health and well-being of its citizens. (RG)
