The construction of the new Geriatric Hospital at Waterford, St. Michael, is being hailed as “the single most important piece of health infrastructure since the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on November 14, 1964”.
This sentiment came from Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott, as he broke ground for the construction of the 400-plus bed facility on Monday. It is expected to be completed in 18 months, with the first phase costing over $100 million.
The Health Minister said Government had identified elderly care as a key priority since Barbados has an ageing population.
“In the coming years, caring for the elderly will be an increasing aspect of society. It is no secret that Barbados is an ageing society. In 2020, the proportion of Barbados’ population, age 65 and older, was estimated at 16.7 per cent and this is predicted to almost double to 29.1 per cent by 2060.
“The new Geriatric Hospital complex will provide comprehensive health care services to older adults with a focus on wellness, community-based health service, non-institutionalised health care, rehabilitation and long-term care for clients whose medical conditions requires hospitalisation. While we focus on rejuvenating Barbados’ age profile, we must concomitantly make plans, keeping in mind that more Barbadians will be reaching their golden years and will require improved access to services,” he stated.
The hospital will be constructed in two phases. In the first phase, it will feature 300 beds facilitated in the three-storey main building. Additionally, there will be ten lounges – one for every two wards – as well as two treatment rooms per floor.
The building will also include rehabilitation and day-care facilities, an isolation ward, a pool for therapy and photovoltaic panels to reduce running costs. Phase two will see the construction of another 105 beds and six lounges.
Acting Hospital Manager at the Geriatric Hospital, Heather Payne-Drakes, said the new facility would be welcomed by staff and patients since the current hospital at Beckles Road, St. Michael, which was established 139 years ago, was not intended to provide the level of clinical care which is currently delivered.
“We have outgrown the existing facility…. The current site has deteriorated over time and there are inherent challenges to its maintenance with constant need for urgent repairs and renovations. As a result, significant financial resources have been utilised to maintain a safe and functioning facility. Over the past five years, an average of approximately $300,000 has been spent on maintenance annually,” Mrs. Payne-Drakes explained.
She continued: “Having a new facility that is fit for purpose in delivering quality health care to the elderly has become a necessity. The health profile of our clients is characterised by comorbidities with the majority affected by at least two non-communicable diseases, requiring skilled nursing care and appropriate medical management on a 24-hour basis. The Waterford facility has been designed to deliver rehabilitation services that focus on enhancing physical and mental functionality.”
Mrs. Payne-Drakes said the current hospital at Beckles Road, catered to 278 clients and had a staff complement of 367, including 231 nurses, five medical practitioners, an Infection Control Officer, a dietitian, and social workers.