Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Barbados: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinate Palliative Care, Home Nursing, and Health Coverage

   • Public healthcare and polyclinic referrals: Coordinate specialist oncology, symptom relief, and community nursing support through the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown and the parish polyclinics operated under the Ministry of Health and Wellness [1]. Polyclinic district nursing services and the Barbados Drug Service formulary assist residents with ongoing pain management and chronic care medications [1].
   • Community palliative and home-care coordination: Ask the attending specialist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital or private clinic for a comprehensive written medical summary, medication schedule, and home-care plan so family caregivers and community nurses can manage symptoms safely at home [1].
   • Private medical insurance review: If your family member holds private health or critical-illness insurance, contact the insurer early to verify coverage limits and pre-authorization procedures for home nursing, medical equipment, and specialist consultations [1].
2. 2

   Record Advance Healthcare Preferences and Designate a Medical Proxy

   • Written advance medical statement: Under Barbadian common law principles, an adult with full mental capacity may record their healthcare preferences in writing, setting out their instructions regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, artificial hydration, and comfort-focused palliative care [1] [4].
   • Naming a healthcare spokesperson: Your family member should designate a trusted relative or representative in writing who can communicate with attending doctors at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital or private clinics if your family member becomes unable to speak for themselves [1].
   • Sharing copies with clinical teams: Provide signed copies of the written care preferences and emergency contact hierarchy to the primary physician, hospital medical records unit, and immediate relatives so medical staff can consult them promptly when clinical decisions arise [1].
3. 3

   Execute Powers of Attorney and Bank Mandates While Capacity Is Intact

   • Property Act and Powers of Attorney requirements: In Barbados, a Power of Attorney must be executed while the donor possesses full mental capacity to understand the nature and effect of the instrument [4]. To authorize an attorney-in-fact to manage real estate, legal affairs, and financial assets, the Power of Attorney must be executed as a deed in the presence of an attorney-at-law or notary public and qualified witnesses [4].
   • Recording with the Registration Department: To be legally valid for real property transactions and accepted by public authorities and financial institutions across Barbados, the executed Power of Attorney must be stamped and recorded with the Registration Department at the Supreme Court Complex on White Park Road [4].
   • Commercial bank and credit union mandates: Barbadian commercial banks and credit unions often require their own internal account mandate forms or joint-signing verifications in addition to a registered Power of Attorney; complete these directly with each financial institution while your family member is able to attend or sign [4].
4. 4

   Activate National Insurance Sickness and Invalidity Benefits

   • Short-term Sickness Benefit: If your family member is an employed or self-employed insured contributor under pensionable age who becomes incapable of work due to illness, they can apply to the National Insurance and Social Security Service for a Sickness Benefit [2] [3]. Claims must be supported by an official medical certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner and submitted within the statutory timeframe [2].
   • Long-term Invalidity Benefit: If your family member has been medically certified as permanently incapable of work due to a chronic or life-limiting illness after exhausting sickness benefit entitlement and has paid at least 150 contributions, they can apply to the National Insurance and Social Security Service for an Invalidity Pension (or a lump-sum Invalidity Grant if they have between 50 and 149 contributions) [3].
   • Authorized collection and caregiver arrangements: Where illness prevents the claimant from transacting business in person, the National Insurance and Social Security Service allows an appointed agent to submit claims or receive payments on the insured person's behalf upon filing the required medical and authorization forms [2] [3].
5. 5

   Organize the Will, Beneficiary Designations, and Property Records

   • Executing or updating a Will under the Succession Act: Under the Succession Act of Barbados, a valid will must be in writing and signed by the testator in the presence of at least two independent witnesses present at the same time [5]. Because the Succession Act also provides statutory legal rights to a surviving spouse and dependent children, reviewing the will with a Barbadian attorney-at-law ensures smooth administration through the Supreme Court Registry Probate Unit [5].
   • Beneficiary nominations and credit union shares: Review beneficiary nominations on life insurance policies, occupational pensions, and Barbadian credit union accounts (where statutory nomination forms allow designated funds to pass directly to nominees) [3] [5].
   • Vital records and cross-border property: Gather original title deeds, land tax bills, and certified birth and marriage certificates from the Registration Department [4] [5]. If your family member holds assets or bank accounts outside Barbados, ensure any foreign powers of attorney or wills are coordinated and authenticated with an Apostille where required [4] [5].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Queen Elizabeth Hospital Patient and Clinical Services — Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Ministry of Health and Wellness Barbados
2. [2]
   Sickness Benefits Eligibility and Medical Certification — National Insurance and Social Security Service of Barbados
3. [3]
   A Guide to Benefits - Sickness and Invalidity Benefits — National Insurance and Social Security Service of Barbados
4. [4]
   Registration Department Services and Vital Records — Barbados Law Courts - Registration Department
5. [5]
   Supreme Court Registry - Probate Unit — Barbados Law Courts