Health Minister Michael Joseph is urging residents to make greater use of community clinics, saying many people continue to seek treatment at the emergency department despite extended operating hours at several health centres.

Speaking on Pointe FM’s On Pointe programme, Joseph said the Grace Farm and Clare Hall clinics currently operate until 9 p.m. on weekdays, but public uptake during the extended hours has remained low. He said the situation contributes to overcrowding at the emergency department of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.

“We’ve extended the hours of the clinics, particularly Gray’s Farm and Clare Hall, and unfortunately we’re not seeing the take-up from many of the public that we would hope,” he said.

Joseph explained that many non-emergency cases, including minor cuts, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea, can be treated at community clinics rather than the hospital’s emergency room, where more critical cases must take priority.

The minister said the government is working toward establishing at least four strategically located clinics that would operate as 24-hour urgent care centres.

“To work towards moving from the 9 o’clock close-off time to letting it be a 24-hour operation,” Joseph said, noting that staffing, equipment, security and legislative matters must first be addressed.

He said the long-term goal is to expand primary healthcare services and reduce pressure on secondary care facilities by providing residents with more accessible treatment options closer to their communities.

Joseph also disclosed that the government is rolling out the Selma digital health platform, which will integrate patient records across clinics and healthcare facilities, allowing patients to receive care at any participating clinic while maintaining access to their medical history.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Health to improve healthcare delivery and streamline services throughout Antigua and Barbuda.