Visitation at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) needs to be amended. It is not practical for us who have relatives and friends hospitalized at the hospital.

This is the voice of concern coming from a relative who has a loved one in a ward at the hospital. The relative, who will only be identified as Shanice, told Barbados Weekly, “It is very difficult to visit my brother. On more than one occasion, I went to see my brother and the guard refused me entry saying it’s not my day and he has to go by what is posted at the door.

I work the shift system and when I’m off or before heading to work I would try to visit him and bring him some items since that’s my only chance to see my brother during the given visitation times of 12-1pm or 5-6pm on evenings. I have only been able to see him once for a few minutes since he’s been at the hospital for a week now.

The system needs revising so it can cater to everyone because everyone can’t fall into the allocated time slots and the amount of persons that can visit a relative need to be increased. I understand it’s COVID times but at least more leniency in visitation and a drop-off place where family and friends can drop off items for their loved ones.”

Standing in the visitors’ line just outside the QEH doors, Barbados Weekly spoke with Kacia Adams who was waiting for a chance to see her cousin. She told us,

“This is my second time here trying to see my cousin.

I just hope today [I get] to see her because on Saturday the guard told me her ward is not accepting visitors so look at the notice on the door to see when I can visit. So hopefully today I get to see her for a few minutes and give her the items from her mum because only one person can visit her during visiting time.”

Barbados Weekly attempted to speak with the Communication Specialist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with regards to this matter but we were unsuccessful.

We invited any interested parties to contact us at editor@barbadosweekly.com for comment.