The Barbados Nurses Association (BNA) has launched its 2026 advocacy campaign with urgent calls for strengthened protective measures and improved working conditions, identifying violence against healthcare workers as among the most pressing challenges facing the nursing profession.
In an official statement, BNA President Dr. Fay Parris commended nurses as “the heartbeat of our healthcare system” while acknowledging both significant progress and persistent challenges. The Association celebrated several 2025 achievements including Barbados’ ratification of International Labour Organisation Convention 149, which establishes formal rights and protections for nursing personnel. This ratification marked a substantial advancement in professional standards and working conditions throughout the island nation.
Additional milestones included the approval of the Public Officers Loan and Travelling Allowances Act, which promotes equitable allowance distribution across the profession, and noticeable improvements in environmental safety protocols within healthcare facilities, creating safer environments for both staff and patients.
Despite these advancements, Dr. Parris highlighted several unresolved issues continuing to undermine nurse wellbeing and morale. Protracted delays in approving sabbatical policy logistics have generated widespread frustration among nursing professionals. The ongoing lack of transportation solutions for night and evening shifts remains unaddressed, while systemic staffing shortages have increased dependence on flexi-time arrangements, exacerbating burnout rates.
Most alarmingly, the Association emphasized that violence against healthcare workers and insufficient protective measures represent growing concerns that demand immediate attention. The BNA has consequently pledged to prioritize safe, supportive workplaces and expedited resolution of employment matters throughout 2026.
The Association’s comprehensive agenda includes advocating for practical transportation solutions for late-shift workers, championing legal reforms to protect healthcare workers from violence, and expanding insurance options specifically addressing injury and health coverage. Organizational modernization efforts will enhance member services, while strengthened mentorship programs, wellness initiatives, and professional development opportunities aim to ensure every nurse feels valued and supported.
Furthermore, the BNA plans to increase nursing representation on national boards and policy-making bodies, amplify youth engagement within the profession, and implement membership growth strategies to unify the nursing community under a collective purpose. Dr. Parris concluded with a call for unified action, stating: “The challenges are real, but so too is the strength of the profession when acting collectively.”