Dr. Minnis was addressing staff at the Princess Margaret Hospital during the annual hospital visit from the Governor General.
"I am indeed excited about the tremendous potential this has for enhanced service delivery in our Family Islands. After reviewing and watching the telemedicine project just the other day, listening to patients' heartbeats in Abaco via PMH and being able to examine a patient's ear from Abaco via PMH, I am convinced that in the future PMH will be able to house a cardiac clinic for those patients in Abaco here from PMH," Dr. Minnis said.
"I am also convinced that soon PMH will also be able to house a specialist emergency medical technician (EMT) clinic with the facilities that were demonstrated the other day."
While outlining some of the initiatives that were undertaken to enhance the hospital, Dr. Minnis stated that steps were taken at accident and emergency department to reduce the waiting period for patients, however, he indicated that the hospital has not yet achieved the desired results related to service delivery.
"We continue to receive complaints from a number of sources regarding the delivery of service at PMH. While this may seem negative, it provides us with a real opportunity to assess and make improvements where necessary. In this regard re-strengthening and restructuring of the patient relations department will help the institution to better address this feedback. The intent is to systematically analyze all relevant complaints, target those areas where the majority of complaints emerge and respond in a timely fashion to those affected," Dr. Minnis said.
He added, "I am advised that the former Bahai building is near completion. This building will house the University of the West Indies library on the upper level and the cancer registry on the lower level. As a teaching institution, the Princess Margaret Hospital must provide an adequately equipped library especially for our medical students."
Dr. Minnis said the goal of the government in conjunction with UWI, is to ensure that the quality of the doctors that are trained at that institution is second to none in the Caribbean or the remainder of the world.
With cancer being the leading cause of death for women in The Bahamas, Dr. Minnis said he looks forward to the cancer registry and a functioning tumor board.
During the visit, hospital officials reflected on this year's accomplishments, noting that while more improvements are needed, the hospital has also made significant strides. Chief Hospital Administrator Coralie Adderley said the employees at the hospital can be proud of its many accomplishments, which include the recent relocation of the nursing students to the newly renovated buttons flat; the dialysis unit refurbishment and the foundations campaign for new dialysis machines that resulted in monetary donations of more than $400,000, and the near-completed oncology treatment center. Other successes include the successful transition of medical leadership in clinical departments; the launch of the accident and emergency redevelopment project to improve client satisfaction and quality of care; the launch of the first telemedicine service between PMH accident and the emergency department and the North Abaco Clinic.
"As the new year dawns we will look with optimism to the launch of several initiatives including a clients' complaints unit to expedite resolving our clients concerns, a redesigned accident and emergency entrance and waiting area, the upgrade of electrical services and most of all the re-commencement of plans for the construction of a new hospital," Adderley said.
Governor General Sir Arthur Hanna meanwhile encouraged the hospital's staff to remain compassionate and show sympathy to their patients.
"I wish to challenge you, as you continue in pursuit of excellence, to find your particular niche within the health care arena and to do all that is in your power to give service that is second to none," the governor general said.
After the ceremony the governor general and health minister undertook a tour of the hospital and visited several wards including the children's ward, the gynecology ward and the male medical ward.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Bianca Symonette
Quelle/Source: The Nassau Guardian, 07.12.2007
