The North Central Regional Health Authority launched two (2) eight-seater golf carts at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) today as part of its ongoing commitment to patient care. The golf carts will be positioned at clinic areas and the main entrance to transport patients to and from the car park. The service will make it easier for patients, families and staff who need assistance to move around the large hospital complex.
The initiative is expected to be beneficial to elderly patients, particularly those who are immobile, those with limited mobility and members of the public who have difficulty moving across the compound. It will certainly benefit patients with disabilities and mobility concerns by easing access to the facility and supporting their comfort and safety. The service is now operating from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
It will also provide some degree of convenience for nursing and medical professionals and other employees, particularly those working late-night shifts, by making it easier to move across the compound in a safe and reliable manner.
Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, Chairman of the North Central Regional Health Authority, praised the initiative. “For us, patient care is not only about the clinical services we provide. It also means ensuring that patients and their families are comfortable and able to move around our facilities with ease. The launch of these golf carts is a practical improvement that will make a real difference, particularly for our elderly patients, persons with mobility challenges and those who may have difficulty navigating such a large hospital complex… possibly the largest in the Caribbean.” he stated.
Dr. Gopeesingh noted that, for years, patients travelling by public transport have faced a considerable walk between the hospital entrance and taxi and maxi-taxi points. He said the electric carts offer a free service with less impact on the environment, and that the Authority intends to purchase two (2) additional carts for use along two (2) of the 1000 ft long internal corridors.
Chief Executive Officer of the North Central Regional Health Authority, Mr. Bhadase Seetahal-Maraj, echoed these sentiments and highlighted the benefit to staff and the wider operations of the hospital. “The Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex is a large and busy healthcare facility, and we recognize that patients, visitors and staff can often face severe mobility challenges when moving between different areas. These golf carts will provide an additional means of transportation and make it easier for persons to access the various areas of the compound, particularly those working across the hospital during late-night shifts,” he said.
Mr. Seetahal-Maraj added that the introduction of the golf carts is another step in the Authority’s ongoing efforts to improve the EWMSC and enhance the experience of those who use and work within the facility. He said the current administration had been working on the service for some time and was expeditiously addressing issues affecting patients, while they are in the Authority’s care and as they access its facilities.
The introduction of the golf carts forms part of a wider programme of improvements being undertaken by the Authority to improve the patient experience and the working environment for staff at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. This includes infrastructural upgrades, improvements to staff facilities and the enhancement of clinical services.
This follows improvements that include road works, electrical upgrades, painting works, refurbishment of staff lounges, servicing of CT machines and the provision of 24-hour services at the St. Joseph Enhanced Health Centre. Together, these initiatives are aimed at creating a more efficient and comfortable environment for patients, visitors and staff, while meeting the needs of the communities we serve.
The North Central Regional Health Authority remains committed to continuously improving its facilities, services and systems to ensure that patients, families, visitors and staff have a safer, more comfortable and accessible healthcare environment.
