DLP offers solutions to “public health emergency” at QEH

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) is calling for targeted solutions to reduce wait times to under 24 hours in the Accident and Emergency Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH).

Spokesperson on health and wellness, Senator Andre Worrell, said in a media release today the patients’ distressing experiences, which have been widely shared on social media, reflected “a public health emergency that can no longer be ignored”.

He noted, however, that neither the Minister of Health nor the Senior Minister in the Ministry had provided “leadership, transparency or a credible plan to address the situation”.

Worrell said the QEH was under considerable strain due to a surge in violent crime and serious accidents; rising cases of influenza and respiratory illness; and chronic shortages in medical staff, funding, supplies and medication.

The party offered the following solutions to address the situation.

Extended Polyclinic Services

●        Immediate extension of polyclinic operating hours to 7 p.m. on weekdays and weekends

●        Redirecting influenza and non-trauma cases away from A&E to reduce overcrowding

Emergency Staffing Initiative

●        Use vacant QEH clinic spaces after daytime hours to run evening outpatient services until 11 p.m.

●        Divert non-emergency patients from A&E into structured care streams

• A coordinated national engagement with:
  
  
  • The Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP)
    
    
  • Barbados Nurses Association (BNA)
    
    
  • Private doctors and medical schools
    
    
• Short-term recruitment to support extended clinic hours and surge coverage
  
  Evening GP & Family Medicine Clinics at QEH

Restore Drug & Supply Stability

●        Provide supplementary funding to the Barbados Drug Service and QEH to end erratic ordering practices

●        Stabilise national medication supply chains and prevent shortages

“Despite billions borrowed and millions in healthcare grants received since COVID-19, Barbadians are experiencing worsening access, longer waits and declining service quality — an outcome that represents a fundamental failure of governance,” the statement continued.

Worrell said the DLP, having listened to the people, had solution and reaffirmed “its commitment to defending universal, accessible public healthcare and reversing the creeping privatization of essential services”. (PR/SAT)