Bayview Urgent Care, the newest department of Bayview Hospital in Barbados, has officially opened its doors to the public, with phased operating hours as it transitions to full 24-hour service.
The urgent care facility welcomed patients on Thursday, June 12, and will continue to do so daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the month of June. In July, it will extend its closing time until midnight, transitioning to a full 24/7 operation from August 1, 2025.
Inaugurated at an opening ceremony attended by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Jerome Walcott, Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George, and representatives from the medical, business and tourism sectors, Bayview Urgent Care marks a significant step forward in improving accessible healthcare services across Barbados and alleviating the strain on the public healthcare system. It also marked the culmination of a three-year expansion project, which was intentionally designed and constructed using local expertise. It was completed while the main hospital remained fully operational.
The new Urgent Care offers what officials describe as “a full circle of care under one roof”, with sister companies Diagnostic Radiology (Beckles Road clinic) and Bayview Laboratory moving their operations into the St Paul’s Avenue, St Michael building. The services offered by the new Urgent Care include emergency diagnostic radiology and laboratory services, a fully equipped asthma bay for respiratory emergencies, and urgent care led by emergency physicians and experienced nursing staff.
Patients can be referred directly to Bayview Hospital for further care and management by specialist physicians who have practising privileges at the hospital. Bayview Urgent Care welcomes walk-in patients, a crucial step in enhancing community access to the trusted, high-quality care associated with the Bayview brand. These services are accessible to all CARICOM nationals and visitors to the island.
Equipped with advanced technology, Bayview Urgent Care features a new CT scanner and a 3D mammography unit, which mark a significant advancement in breast cancer screenings on the island. Additional emergency services, including X-rays, ultrasound and CT imaging, provide results within 24 hours. Bayview Laboratory, which delivers a comprehensive range of clinical tests, also has a 24-hour turnaround.
Bayview Laboratory also announced that it has entered into a partnership with CariGenetics, which will enable it to offer state-of-the-art genetic testing. This gives clients access to paternity tests, a cancer risk profile, their risk for developing kidney disease, and a drug profile that guides the clinical team on which medications will work best for a patient. These can be especially helpful in supporting mental health.
To meet a broader range of community needs, Bayview Urgent Care has introduced several innovative services. These include an emergency ambulance for patient transport to and from Bayview Urgent Care and the main hospital, as well as a non-emergency shuttle service for elderly and immobile patients, removing transportation barriers to care. Bayview has also launched executive and general medical services, offering tailored health assessments and preventative care programmes.
Chairman Peter Harris emphasised the significance of the project in showcasing local capabilities. “Today marks more than just the opening of a new building; it represents the realisation of our goal to build a healthier Barbados through local expertise,” he said.
Harris highlighted the contributions of Barbadian professionals, stating, “We don’t need to look overseas when our homegrown talent rivals the best in the world.”
Hospital Administrator Jules Reid, reflecting on the journey, noted, “The challenges we faced during the COVID-19 pandemic only strengthened our resolve and clarified our mission. Our frontline staff proved that Bayview Hospital is more than a medical facility; we are a cornerstone of this community, built by Barbadians, for Barbadians.”
Looking ahead, Bayview Hospital has plans to make further investments in health care, specifically in areas where there are significant limitations in providing care for Barbadians and the region. This includes oncology and chronic kidney disease.
