New palliative care plans under discussion, but Barbados still without active system

By Tracy Moore

Plans for establishing a structured palliative care service in Barbados are currently being discussed, according to Dr Carlos Chase, Director of Medical Services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), who addressed the issue during a question-and-answer segment on Day One earlier today at the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners’ (BAMP) annual conference.

Dr Chase indicated that palliative care remains a developing concept within the national healthcare system.

He noted that the respective QEH teams will be meeting next week to discuss the structure system, as well as a build-out that would include staffing, as there is a shortage of oncologists. However, he acknowledged that despite planning discussions, Barbados does not yet have a functioning palliative care framework in place.

His remarks came immediately after the new head of the oncology department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Dr Lalitha Sripathi, delivered a detailed presentation stressing the importance of integrating palliative care early and consistently into the treatment of patients with serious illnesses.

Dr Sripathi told attendees that palliative care is critical across the entire patient journey, not only for those at the end of life. She explained, “Palliative care is synonymous with supportive care, and this can be given to patients at any stage and for anybody who is suffering from a serious health issue… basically anyone going through a serious health-related issue.”

Emphasising the benefits of early integration, she added, “The sooner it is started, the sooner it is integrated with the main treatment again, the better because studies have shown that palliative care integration earlier in the treatment can result in better adherence to treatment and better completion of treatment…ultimately resulting in better outcomes and survivors.”

Dr Sripathi also described the broad scope of services palliative care should include: “All kinds of support that can be possibly given to the patient. We are trying to manage their physical symptoms… give them mental health support… psychological support and spiritual support and provide them with a sense of purpose and peace.”

She further noted that modern cancer centres are now incorporating integrative therapies.

“Most of the cancer centres world over are coming up with the concept of integrative oncology… where apart from the regular cancer treatments, they also offer services like music therapy, meditation, breathing exercises, art therapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture. So basically anything that can help these patients to manage their stress, anxiety and make them feel better.”