Hospital, Urgent Care Centre Adds New Ambulance and Air Ambulance Coverage to Help Eleuthera Patients

ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS – Residents and visitors in Eleuthera will now benefit from improved ambulance coverage on the ground and in air – thanks to Bahamas Wellness.

Until now, the 110-mile-long island has only had one ambulance to serve the needs of residents – but Bahamas Wellness will double that with the addition of a new ambulance to serve north and south from its central location at its flagship hospital and urgent care facility in North Palmetto Point, just outside the capital of the family island, Governor’s Harbour.  

In addition, Bahamas Wellness is adding air ambulance coverage for the island after signing contracts with two air ambulance services. 

The first contract is with the Medical Air Services Association and will transport patients to New Providence, while the second contract is with JetICU for transport to the US. 

“We are proud to announce the expansion of ambulance coverage for the island – both on the ground and in the air – and we are confident it will make a significant difference to residents of, and visitors to, Eleuthera,” said Dr. Arlington Lightbourne, president and CEO of Bahamas Wellness.

“Statistics show that faster ambulance response times improve health outcomes and the chances of survival for a patient,” he noted. “Increasing the number of ambulances means getting to the patient faster, getting the patient the healthcare they need and giving them the best chance for recovery.”

The addition of faster response capabilities is a critical component of the Palmetto Point facility’s role as the first urgent care facility in the Family Islands and in a matter of weeks, the first private hospital on a Family Island. Beginning October 1, the facility will remain open from 9 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday and 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday. 

“We are especially pleased to partner with JetICU for those cases which require treatment beyond that which is available here or in the capital,” said Dr. Lightbourne. “The company is unique in the extent of services it provides, completing all paperwork, insurance matters, dealing with the hospital to which the patient is being transported, visa requirements – all the administrative details that could otherwise cause a delay while the patient’s recovery – or even their life – hangs in the balance. That time savings can make the difference between life and death and will be the way of the future for other air ambulance services but currently they are the leader and we are honoured that they have elected to partner with Eleuthera Wellness Hospital.”   

It is the latest forward step for the healthcare provider, which began life in a small location in Nassau and has continued to expand year after year – expanding to Eleuthera in 2019. 

Bahamas Wellness opened the first hospital in a Family Island at its central Eleuthera location in October and now maintains extended hours for urgent care at the same location, 24/7 hours for emergencies and hospital admissions and operates clinics in Spanish Wells, Rock Sound and Lower Bogue in Eleuthera and in Nassau.