As part of its thrust to improve the quality of service and the standard of care in public hospitals and health centres across the island, the Ministry of Health has introduced a Compassionate Care Programme.
The North-East Regional Health Authority (NERHA) launched its ‘Compassionate Care Program’ at the St Ann’s Bay Public Hospital, on Thursday, October 25. The Compassionate Care programme entails better caring for patients at the hospital. Fabia Lamm, Regional Director, NERHA gave the project overview. Miss Lamm stated that renovation work at the St Ann’s Bay Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department included enhancement of the aesthetics to include murals with health messages, refurbished bathrooms, renovated space for doctors, installation of air conditioning and the placement of a television set which seeks to innovatively display health messages. In addition there has been improvement in the way patients are treated at the hospital. These include reduced waiting time and more hospital beds.
The brief function was addressed by Minister of Health, Dr. Christopher Tufton.
Dr Tufton said it is important that health care professionals strike a balance between clinical care and compassion. He also said that while health care workers have risen to the challenge of providing optimum clinical care, there needs to be improvement in how patients are catered to emotionally. “I believe compassionate care is an important part of the overall response to public health, in order to develop a mechanism to ensure that we begin to enhance, to develop, to build and strengthen a culture of customer service as we deliver public health,” the minister added.
The vote of thanks was done by Dr. Tanya Hamilton-Johnson, Senior Medical Officer St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital. A tour of the facility was done by the minster after the ceremony.
The Compassionate Care Programme is geared towards enhancing the psychological wellness of patients within the public health system, as a means of promoting speedy recovery. It also seeks to improve patient experience at the various facilities by improving the aesthetics in waiting areas.
