I have the impression that the brief given to the architects who did the Couva Hospital, was that it is to be a children’s hospital, so don’t think of walk-in or older patients.
Now since all that has been changed, it appears no thought has been given to the some persons that were not to be included.
This brings me to the point of my having to go there to have a CT scan done. I travelled by taxi to the hospital, which to a point was directly off the highway.
The first thing I noticed was that it was a one way. Clearing the security the road to the facility was “a long and winding” one. This was not designed for walk-ins.
Having made it to the other reception desk, I was told to use a double stair to get to the next floor. If this was designed for children, I can’t imagine parents lifting their children up those stairs. I was finally interviewed and the procedure was done, very professionally. Then another hammer fell.
I was given a CD and a slip to collect my results in a week or so, which I had to return to collect myself to take back to Mt Hope. I asked if there was a courier service. The reply stunned me. The results could not be sent by courier since my results were very private, and should not be seen by anyone besides my doctor and myself.
That excuse was as poor as…whatever. I really can’t see a courier opening a document to read it. Added to that, I was told that I should have refused when Couva was mentioned.
I now had to face another long walk to the front gate, but what’s next? I just had to wait until a taxi could take me to Sando.
I have a few suggestions to make Couva Hospital better suited to all:
• A shelter by the entrance,
• A walk over to the uptown side of the highway with a shelter
• A PTSC priority stop, with regular intervals.
This one visit cost me $62. I have to spend again to go to pick up my results. I must add that I have attended clinics at St James, POS, and Mt Hope which has taxis on the eastern side of the compound to take persons right to the facility. I never had to walk that far after spending so much cash to get there.
Teddy Pinheiro
Barataria