QEH care ‘at breaking point’ – DLP

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) on Wednesday lambasted the government for what it describes as a collapse of the healthcare system, citing dire conditions at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), an exodus of medical professionals, and stalled efforts to digitise patient records as proof of gross mismanagement.

Speaking during the debut of a new DLP TV YouTube channel, Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne and the party’s president, Senator Andre Worrell, accused the Mia Mottley administration of neglecting its responsibilities, leaving Barbadians to endure an overstretched and inefficient healthcare system.

Worrell noted that the situation at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department is dire, with the department under immense pressure, with patients waiting days to be seen.

“It’s unacceptable that people are waiting two, three, or even five days in Accident and Emergency. The backlog isn’t just in A&E; it’s compounded by a lack of beds on the wards,” the senator said.

Highlighting the critical shortage of senior medical staff, he added, “We need more consultants and registrars to work alongside junior doctors. These delays aren’t just inconvenient—they are life-threatening.”

The DLP president also outlined a vision for a more structured approach to patient care. “We need a structured approach. Patients should be seen by a nurse within minutes of arrival and by a doctor within eight hours. Anything longer than that is unacceptable for a country that claims to value its citizens’ health.”

Both DLP leaders pointed to the exodus of healthcare professionals as a major contributor to the crisis. Nurses and doctors trained in Barbados are leaving for better opportunities abroad, further straining the system.

“Nurses are leaving in droves to places like the UK, Canada, and Bermuda. These are professionals we trained here at great cost. They are highly sought after internationally because of their skills, but they are leaving because Barbados doesn’t value them,” Worrell said.

Thorne underscored the government’s responsibility in addressing the issue: “If the government cannot retain the very people who make our healthcare system function, what does that say about their commitment to the public? It’s a failure of leadership.”

The loss of specialised doctors, Worrell noted, has also led to longer wait times for critical treatments. “Specialised healthcare is becoming increasingly out of reach for ordinary Barbadians because we simply don’t have the staff.”
He also criticised the slow pace of digitising hospital records, which has been promised for years but remains incomplete. He emphasised the inefficiencies caused by outdated systems.

“Digitisation is not just about modernisation; it’s about saving lives,” he said. “Right now, doctors and nurses waste valuable time waiting for sluggish systems to reboot just to access patient records. That’s time they could be spending with patients.”

Worrell highlighted the urgent need for immediate improvements. “We need to invest in technology that works. Waiting five minutes for a computer to load in the middle of an emergency is not acceptable.”

Worrell and Thorne also focused on the systemic delays in providing basic digital tools to healthcare professionals.
Both criticised the Ministry of Health for a lack of transparency and leadership during a healthcare crisis.

Worrell said: “We have two ministers of health, but you rarely hear from either of them. Instead, we’re subjected to PR campaigns that paint a rosy picture while patients suffer. The people of Barbados deserve honesty and accountability.”

The senator tied the healthcare crisis to a growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart attacks, diabetes, and hypertension. He noted the link between poor diet and the increasing strain on the healthcare system.

“Heart attacks are rising, and this is directly tied to diet and lifestyle,” Worrell said. “Healthy food is too expensive for most Barbadians, and our healthcare system isn’t equipped to manage the consequences.”

He added: “We need immediate action to improve management at QEH, retain our healthcare professionals, and make healthcare accessible for all Barbadians. This is not just about fixing a broken system; it’s about saving lives.”

Thorne echoed this sentiment. “Barbadians are resilient, but resilience has its limits. This government must act now to prioritise healthcare or face the consequences of their neglect.”

Reflecting on Barbados’ healthcare legacy, Worrell declared: “What Errol Barrow envisioned for Barbados is far from the reality we’re living today. Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. We owe it to every Barbadian to fulfil that promise.”