While Jamaica relied on the reputation of its several Spas, at Black River, Milk River and Bath, Barbados relied on its sea, even temperatures and “trade winds”. And thousands of “snow birds” spend winters in Barbados to avoid the rigours of the frozen north.
But it was the late, great Barbadian physician Dr. Harry Bayley who developed the first significant reputation for medical tourism in modern Barbados, much in advance of his time. He built his famous Diagnostic Clinic, known to all as Bayley’s Clinic, in the late 1930s and by the 1950s he had an international clientele, particularly from Venezuela, Trinidad and Guyana, with patients coming here specifically for his diagnostic skills and tests in his modern laboratory. (And Dr. Bayley’s widow, Iris Bannochie, created a magical botanical garden – Andromeda, near Bathsheba – that can perhaps cure body, mind and soul!)
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in its “Golden Era” of the 1980s has attracted some 300 - 500 medical visitors a year from neighbouring Caribbean islands – an important source of revenue, while providing an obvious medical centre for the region, especially for cancer treatment, cardiac and neurological investigation and other specialist care. But it’s been argued for years by members of the local medical profession that Barbados is ideally located to be a state-of-the-art centre for medical tourism. Some 2 million patients travel from North America and Europe to the far east each year for elective surgery – a tiring 24 – 36 hour journey – when they could quickly fly to Barbados, hub of the Caribbean, for first rate facilities in an English speaking country, have their surgery, and recuperate in this heavenly paradise!
It seems, at last, that such wisdom will soon prevail. American World Clinics has been awarded the tender to develop an old, small private hospital site of 14 acres north of Bridgetown and close to our second town Speightstown and the Platinum Coast (West Coast). This former St. Joseph Hospital site is a beautiful spot on undulating higher ground with a view over the sea, a history old plantation house and an ancient coral stone mill wall. The original, now derelict hospital buildings will be replaced by an ultra-modern, state-of-the-art hospital. Staff will comprise a mixture of US and local specialists – a genuine partnership, according to the partners of American World Clinics, and as many local health workers as possible.
When the new hospital opens, that huge waiting list of hip and knee replacements, etc. should be happily treated in beautiful Barbados, with recuperation at any of our many rejuvenating resorts – the splendid refurbished Atlantis at Bathsheba, the magnificent Crane Resort or scores of others along the South Coast, Platinum Coast or at possible new spas, health resorts or historic country inns! The stage is set for Barbados to become truly the Mayo Clinic of the Caribbean, renowned not only for its medical tourism but as a “historic and heavenly health resort” – perhaps “Barbados - The 3H Resort” could become one of our best-selling catch-phrases!
