QEH Town Hall Sparks Strong Public Engagement on the Future of Healthcare

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s recent Public Town Hall Meeting proved to be a significant step in strengthening dialogue and engagement between the hospital and the Barbadian public, as hundreds participated in discussions on the future of healthcare delivery at the island’s primary healthcare institution.
Held under the theme “From Vision to Action,” the event attracted a strong in-person turnout at the QEH Auditorium, while more than 300 persons joined the livestream online to ask questions, share comments, and participate in the discussion.

Originally scheduled as a two-hour session, the meeting extended until nearly 9:00 p.m., reflecting the high level of public interest and the meaningful exchange between community members and senior officials of the hospital.

Chief Executive Officer Mr. Neil Clark opened the session with a comprehensive update on the QEH Strategy 2025–2028, outlining the hospital’s vision, progress made to date, and major priorities aimed at improving patient-centred healthcare delivery.

Acting Chief Operations Officer Ms. Louise Bobb then provided further detail on the strategy’s achievements, ongoing projects, and areas still in progress as the institution continues its transformation journey.

One of the highlights of the evening was the public’s first detailed look at the proposed Enmore Redevelopment Project, which is expected to break ground later this year. The presentation generated considerable excitement and interest among attendees as plans were shared for the future development initiative.

The discussion also focused heavily on several key issues impacting patients and staff, including ongoing improvement plans for the Accident and Emergency Department, the upcoming implementation of the Health Information System to modernize the hospital’s current paper-based medical records system, enhancements in cancer treatment services through the Linear Accelerator project, and efforts to address concerns surrounding extended wait times and appointments within the Ophthalmology Department.

Members of the public actively shared their experiences, concerns, and suggestions throughout the evening, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.

The QEH expressed appreciation to everyone who attended in person and online, noting that public engagement remains essential as the institution works toward building a stronger, more responsive, and more efficient healthcare system for Barbados.

A recording of the event is available for viewing on the QEH’s YouTube channel @theqehbarbados