Acting Hospital Director of the Psychiatric Hospital, David Leacock (left) and Minister of Health, Hon. John Boyce (far right) watch as PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne (second from the right) receives an art piece made by one of the hospital’s patients.
By:
Krystal Penny Bowen
Yesterday, on World Mental Health Day, The Ministry of Health took Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) senior officials on a guided tour of the Psychiatric hospital.
Minister of Health, John Boyce, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joy St. John and hospital staff accompanied the Acting Hospital Director of the Psychiatric Hospital, David Leacock on his tour with PAHO, PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, PAHO/WHO representative, Mr. Dean Chambliss, Head of Country and Sub-regional Coordination (PAHO’s Office Washington), Dr. Godfrey Xuereb. On this tour, PAHO had an opportunity to learn more about the hospital programmes and interact with the patients.
The entourage visited the acute male and female admissions units where Sister Oneta Lashley explained the functions of the two wards within the hospital. Sister Lashley said that both facilities were primarily for temporary patients who were suffering from mental health issues like behaviour disorders, maniac depression and substance abuse. According to Ms. Lashley, patients in these units spent very little time in treatment as they were provided with individual and group therapy on the compound and as well as home visits which was all part of their personalised care. She added that over the years, the number of patients in the acute wards have decreased.
At the end of the tour, Dr. Etienne expressed her satisfaction with the facilities, staff and the pleasant patient environment and commended the hospital’s efforts to treat patients through strong community psychiatric programmes which has reduced the numbers of patients at the psychiatric hospital. Before Dr. Etienne and her colleagues left the facility, they were presented with a gift, a painting from one of the patients.
While on the tour, The Barbados Advocate spoke to Acting Assisting Hospital Director, Mrs. Heather Payne-Drakes who said that while the facility was celebrating World Mental Health Day, staff were shown appreciation through spa treatments (pedicures, manicures and massages) provided by secondary school students and later in the week on Thursday, October 13, patients will be treated to a Sports Day. On Friday, there will be a Health and Open Day, where there will be health testing and school tours at the hospital while on Sunday, October 16, there will be a 5K walk and run starting from the Psychiatric Hospital to Brandons Beach.
Mr. Leacock and Mrs. Payne-Drakes added the facility was currently working on awareness programmes to educate the public (as well as special services) and reduce stigma and discrimination towards people who have mental health issues.
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