While most people visit Barbados for a relaxing holiday in the sun, the realities of life often come into play when medical assistance is required. This was in the international spotlight recently when British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie’s son Euan was required for emergency medical assistance.
It is important to have a plan in case of a medical emergency during your stay in Barbados. Ambulances can often take up to an hour to reach your location, especially if you are on the busy West Coast.
Barbados is fortunate to have highly qualified medical personnel, but those doctors often do not have access to state-of-the-art equipment. With few exceptions, the medical expertise and bedside treatment of Barbadian doctors is world class. It is strongly recommended that those visiting Barbados be proactive in selecting a course of action should the need arise.
What are your options?
The government-owned Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is Barbados’ only full-service hospital, with intensive care facilities, located on the outskirts of the capital, Bridgetown. He also has a reciprocal arrangement for British citizens in the National Health Service (NHS) scheme, where he would be treated and cared for in a public room. Please note that QEH is often full and the wait can be long and sometimes frustrating if your medical needs are not considered immediate care. Telephone 436-6450 or 511 for emergency dispatch.
FMH Emergency Medical Clinic is a private accident and emergency medical center. Located in Belleville, St Michael, this facility offers X-rays, MRIs, and care for serious but non-life threatening injuries. FMH is open from 8 am to 11:30 pm and will handle most emergencies or refer patients to the QEH as needed. Phone 228-6120.
BayView Hospital, a privately owned and operated facility, with seven private rooms and four four-bed semi-private rooms, has been in operation since 1989. Located on the outskirts of Bridgetown and in close proximity to many major hotels, BayView Hospital offers non-public private services. -emergency medical care in a variety of fields including cardiology, dentistry, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, and urology. However, you must be admitted under the specific care of a physician who has admitting privileges at this hospital. Call 436 5446 or visit their website BayViewHospital.com.bb for more information.
A new state-of-the-art private facility has opened on the West Coast: Sandy Crest Medical Center in Sunset Crest, St. James. This state-of-the-art complex offers comprehensive 24-hour emergency and non-emergency care, x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scan technology (until the end of the year), access to an ambulance service, 24-hour pharmacy access, as well as an asthma bay. This emergency clinic has employed the services of five of the island’s leading ER professionals, one for each shift. Call 419-4911 or visit their website SandyCrest.net (under construction) for more information.
The Island has two private ambulance services, Island Care Ambulance (246) 435 9425, Get Help Ambulance Service (246) 438 4357 and QEH Ambulance Service (246) 436 6450 or 511, all located in the Bridgetown area. . However, there is a QEH ambulance service from Arch Hall Fire Station in St. Thomas, to serve the west/north coast of the island. In extreme cases, patients will be transported by air ambulance to Canada or the US.