Queen Elizabeth Hospital Reduces Elderly and Youth Patients, Enhances Family Support for Home Care Challenges

In a stark plea to combat patient abandonment, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) has dramatically reduced the number of “elderly for care” (EFC) and “young for care” (YFC) patients to just 25, while making support services available to help families manage complex home care challenges.

Speaking during the QEH Pulse Radio Show, Monique Edwards, the head of the 600-bed hospital’s bed management unit, said new measures streamline the patient journey from admission to discharge, including informing family members of likely discharge dates upon admission.

“We follow the journey of the patient from admission right through to discharge,” she said.

“The aim is to get patients admitted to the right bed at the right time, treated, and back home as quickly as possible. As soon as a patient is admitted, we let their family know when they are likely to go home,” she added, noting that though it is not always a definite date, families are given time to install ramps or make home modifications as necessary for the return of their loved one.

Edwards further acknowledged the emotional and practical challenges that families face when caring for elderly relatives with complex needs.

“When it’s time for discharge, it can be difficult, especially for elderly persons who might have dementia, Parkinson’s, or other age-related conditions,” she said.

“Families are often overwhelmed because they don’t know how to handle these situations. For example, someone may just be fed but insist they haven’t eaten all day. It’s heartbreaking for the loved ones and can feel impossible to manage.”

To address these challenges, the hospital has partnered with the Transitional Community Care Programme (TCCP) and social services to provide training and resources for families.

“What we’ve started to do is proactively teach families how to better care for their loved ones. This builds confidence and reduces the anxiety they feel about managing these situations at home,” Edwards said.

Further recognising the toll caregiving can take on families, the hospital also offers respite options such as adult daycare services.

Edwards said: “Sometimes caregivers just need a break… a few hours to relax or run errands. This helps them recharge and continue providing the best care possible.”

For families without strong support networks, QEH’s social workers assist by connecting them to government or non-governmental organisations for additional help.

Further outlining the role of the TCCP in supporting patients after discharge to minimise readmissions, Allan Worrell, the programme’s assistant manager, said, “We identify high- and moderate-risk patients, those likely to return within 30, 50, or 90 days, and meet with their families during ward visits to explain the programme.

“Our role is medical. We don’t prepare meals or handle housekeeping, but we provide critical advice on medication adherence, diet, and managing chronic conditions.”

Worrell noted the importance of compliance with treatment plans, especially during the holidays.

“We ensure patients have enough medication to last through holidays like Christmas and Boxing Day. Missing doses of critical medication can land them right back in Accident & Emergency,” he said.

Community health workers conduct regular check-ins to monitor progress and address potential risks, he added. “They act as our eyes and ears across Barbados.”

He added: “If they notice issues, they liaise with specialists to prevent complications.”

As the holiday season approaches, the QEH renewed an appeal for families to collect their relatives and take advantage of available support.

“This is about building a community of care,” Worrell said.

“By working together, we can ensure that no patient is left behind.”

Families with questions about discharge planning or home care are encouraged to contact the TCCP team for guidance.

“Our goal is to equip families with the tools they need to confidently care for their loved ones at home,” Edwards said.

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb