Against a backdrop of growing frequency of shootings and violent encounters that have strained hospital operations across Barbados, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is moving forward with a targeted set of security upgrades to safeguard frontline staff and patients, chief executive Neil Clark has confirmed. In an exclusive interview with Barbados TODAY Wednesday, held on the sidelines of the launch event for digital information management firm Abergower, Clark outlined the timeline and scope of the planned changes, emphasizing that the enhanced measures have become a critical necessity for the facility at this juncture.
First on the agenda is specialized additional training for all QEH security personnel, set to be delivered by the national prison service this month. The training will focus on de-escalation and safe management of aggressive, high-risk individuals, equipping on-site security teams with the tools to respond effectively to volatile situations.
Alongside training, the hospital is rolling out body-worn cameras for all security staff, a transparency and accountability measure Clark says will benefit both security officers and the public. “The core purpose of these cameras is two-fold: it creates an official record of any incident that unfolds, and the knowledge that interactions are being recorded often encourages calmer behavior from all parties involved,” Clark explained. “This not only helps clarify what happens in the event of a dispute, but also acts as a proactive deterrent to aggression.”
Unlike broad overhauls that would add large numbers of new security staff, QEH’s strategy prioritizes improving infrastructure and capability within its existing workforce structure. The hospital is also expanding its closed-circuit video surveillance network across more areas of the facility, giving management real-time visibility into developing incidents across the campus. Clark noted that once training is complete and body cameras are fully deployed, QEH leadership will conduct a review to assess whether further upgrades are required. For now, he says, the existing split of in-house security personnel and contracted outsourced staff remains sufficient to handle current demand.
Clark explained that the hybrid staffing model is strategically deployed to leverage the strengths of both teams: in-house security, who are on-site full-time, have stronger familiarity with QEH’s layout and protocols, making them far more responsive to emerging incidents. Outsourced staff primarily handle static gate monitoring duties, allowing the in-house team to be deployed to high-risk areas that require rapid, flexible support.
The QEH chief also commended the existing partnership between hospital security and local law enforcement, pointing to their fast, coordinated response during violent incidents that bring shooting and stabbing victims to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. “Whenever we receive a patient with a gunshot wound, officers arrive on site within minutes, and maintain a visible physical presence to prevent follow-up attacks from rival parties who may try to come to the hospital to complete an act of violence,” Clark said. “Security teams work hand-in-hand with A&E clinical staff to secure the area quickly, which has been extremely effective so far.”
Even with effective response protocols in place, Clark acknowledged that violent incidents create major disruptions to hospital operations. Most shootings require an immediate full or partial lockdown of the emergency department to contain risk, which slows the delivery of care for other patients and creates anxiety among clinical staff and visitors. Redirecting clinical and security staff to manage the lockdown also pushes out wait times for patients seeking care for unrelated conditions, a trade-off Clark says is unavoidable when safety is at stake.
Beyond physical security measures, QEH has put in place dedicated mental health support for staff who experience trauma during violent incidents. Clark says the facility offers access to professional counsellors for all employees, and the local vicar also provides on-demand emotional support. Team leaders conduct routine debriefs after major incidents to normalize any stress or anxiety that staff may experience, and encourage employees to access support services even if they don’t feel immediate impacts, since traumatic responses can emerge over time.
“Our priority is two-fold: keep everyone on campus safe physically, and make sure our team has the support they need to process these traumatic events,” Clark added.