The government has announced a significant $130 million investment to upgrade medical imaging equipment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), following revelations of extensive waiting times for CT scans and results.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley disclosed the funding during the Parish Speaks town hall meeting in St George on Monday evening, responding to concerns raised by cancer survivor and advocate Carolyn Corbin about the dire state of diagnostic services at the hospital.
The significant investment is intended to substantially improve the quality of care at the lone public hospital, addressing a critical backlog in diagnostic services that has affected cancer patients and others requiring urgent medical attention. But tales of waiting times from a patient advocate appeared to be news to Mottley, who vowed to investigate further.
“We have just about concluded the financing for the equipment—a whole suite of equipment,” she said, detailing plans for a $65 million first phase, with an additional $65–70 million earmarked for the second phase. The funds are intended to procure vital medical devices, focusing on those essential for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Corbin had earlier highlighted to those gathered at the Cuthbert Moore Primary School, the critical issues facing patients, revealing that the hospital currently operates with only one functional CT scanner serving the entire island.
“We’re having some challenges at QEH in terms of CT scans and different things, and the long wait you got to get before you could get an appointment. And then, when you get an appointment, the long wait before you get back results,” she explained.
Corbin, a member of a group called the Victorious Warriors, described waiting times of over a year for appointments, followed by further delays in receiving results. Prime Minister Mottley expressed disbelief at these reports: “That’s not acceptable. So, look, tomorrow [Tuesday] I have a meeting with the QEH. I will raise the matter.”
Also appearing at the townhall meeting was Nigel Whitehall, acting QEH chairman, who acknowledged the current limitations and outlined ongoing initiatives to improve the hospital’s capabilities. He confirmed the acquisition of a linear accelerator to replace the existing cobalt radiology treatment for cancer patients, with the new equipment expected to be operational by November 25.
Whitehall said: “In relation to the complaints made by Ms Corbin, I think the challenge is, as she said, the limited number of CT [scanners]. But in relation to cancer survivors and our cancer treatment, it’s really a cobalt treatment that we have. And as you are aware, Madam Prime Minister, we are acquiring a linear accelerator.”
But Mottley swiftly moved to clarify the situation concerning new equipment, stating: “Not ‘acquiring’; you’ve already paid the money and sent off the money, so the terms should have been acquired, but we are waiting for it to come. Not true?” Whitehall confirmed this, adding that the transition from cobalt treatment to a linear accelerator is progressing.
“We are hoping to operationalise by the 25th of November, Prime Minister,” Whitehall confirmed.
The prime minister expressed disbelief at the reported extensive delays in receiving CT scan results, stressing the need for immediate investigation and resolution.
“The issue with respect to the timelines for waiting for appointments as well as for the results, I heard Ms Corbin say a year to two, and I refuse to believe that that is the case. So that means to me that someone may have misplaced a file or forgot because they can’t wait two years to get a result read,” she asserted.
Whitehall concurred that such extensive delays were unacceptable: “Not with a CT scan, Prime Minister. It wouldn’t take that long. And even if we outsource the CT scan, within a week it should be back, maximum.” He committed to thoroughly investigating the issue.
Mottley emphasised the government’s commitment to swift improvements in healthcare infrastructure, pledging: “We will ensure that the necessary improvements are made swiftly to reduce waiting times and provide the best possible care for our people.” (RG)
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