WHILE I prefer to keep a number of things private and confidential, I believe that a far greater good will be served by writing this letter to acknowledge the fact that almost exactly five years from a previous visit to that institution, I had the opportunity recently to experience a short stay at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

It was clear to me that in the past five years, there has continued to be an unfortunate deterioration of many aspects of that organisation, in particular of the physical plant. But I am not going to write about that today. Equally, while it was refreshing to recognise that the quality of the staff at the QEH remains exceptionally high, and I not only refer to the excellent nursing care, but would wish to include the doctors and non-nursing staff who, in spite of the unfortunate circumstances in which they have to work, continue to demonstrate the highest level of commitment to their chosen professions. But I do not wish to write about that matter today. I would like instead to focus on what I consider to be a serious breach of the human rights of Barbadians fortunate enough to need medical care to the extent that they have to be patients at the QEH for periods of time that may extend to several weeks.

I am completely convinced that no motorist who uses the stretch of road between Mencea Cox and Ena Walters roundabouts (the road running in front of the hospital) is remotely aware of the problems they create for the patients. I am not sure whether the noise pollution is the result of the topography, building design, lack of sufficient trees, or whatever, however, the continuous and escalating traffic noise creates an unbearable burden for those persons sick enough to be in hospital. I am therefore calling for an immediate plan of action to prevent this road being used as a thoroughfare and believe there could be an alternate provision for traffic to use, and I refer to the road at the back of the hospital, expanded if necessary to accommodate increased traffic flow. I fully realise that this may take some weeks to implement but would like to make a public call on all individuals, organisations and corporate citizens, to take immediate action in ensuring that on a basis of voluntarism, that an effort is made to find alternate routes, avoiding totally the use of that stretch of road in front of the hospital. Please note that I have made a personal commitment never to use this stretch of road as a thoroughfare again.

In life we have choices. We can continue to curse the darkness. I prefer to light a candle and use this medium to ask for maximum support from all Barbadians to achieve this worthy aim.