WATCH: Minister Says Nurse Burnout and Staff Shortages Compromising Patient Care

Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph says chronic nurse shortages and rising burnout levels are placing strain on the public health system and compromising the quality of care delivered to patients, particularly in high-demand hospital settings.

Speaking at a media briefing, Joseph said Antigua and Barbuda has long struggled to maintain safe nurse-to-patient ratios, a problem he described as structural rather than temporary. He said the absence of proper workforce planning in past years has left nurses overworked and fatigued, with direct consequences for patient safety and service delivery.

Joseph said nurses often work long shifts under intense pressure, adding that exhaustion can affect judgment, responsiveness and overall patient outcomes. “If you have nurses who have worked all day and are burnt out, it compromises patient care,” he told reporters, framing the issue as a healthcare reality rather than a political one.

Hospital administrators echoed those concerns, pointing to alarmingly high nurse-to-patient ratios at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, where a single nurse may be responsible for as many as 10 patients in some wards — far above accepted standards. Officials said the strain has contributed to fatigue, increased sick leave and staff turnover.

Senior nursing officials said burnout also affects patient flow, particularly in critical areas such as the emergency department, where limited staffing can slow triage and delay care. They noted that when experienced nurses are stretched thin or unavailable, patients may wait longer to be assessed, increasing frustration for families and pressure on frontline staff.

Joseph said the government’s response includes both immediate and long-term measures, including temporary recruitment to stabilize staffing levels while expanding local nurse training and specialization. He stressed that the objective is to restore balance within the system, improve working conditions for nurses and ensure patients receive consistent, timely care.

Health officials said addressing burnout is essential not only for staff well-being but for rebuilding public confidence in the health system. They said improving nurse-to-patient ratios remains a priority as Antigua and Barbuda works toward a more resilient and sustainable healthcare workforce.

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