Bridgetown, Barbados: The Chief Executive Officer of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Dr Dexter James is calling for legislation to prevent Barbadians from abandoning the elderly at the island’s main heath institution.
Speaking at a press conference Dr. James said “Some Barbadians are taking their elderly relatives to hospital and not returning for them when they are discharged. The cost of keeping these elderly people in the hospital is about $500 daily”.
He continued ,”the situation is critical and has contributed to the lack of bed space at the hospital and is a main reason for why the Queen Elizabeth Hospital are not admitting some patients to it’s wards”.
James said that the hospital would like to take recourse but unfortunately there is no legislation that deal with the matter.
