The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) has secured a major funding boost after receiving a £25,000 grant from The Linbury Trust in the United Kingdom to enhance its diagnostic services and improve patient care.

The grant, valued at approximately EC$90,700, will fund the purchase of a portable ultrasound machine, allowing doctors to perform diagnostic imaging at patients’ bedsides and make quicker clinical decisions in emergency and critical care situations.

Hospital officials said any remaining funds will be directed toward the purchase of other priority medical equipment based on the institution’s most pressing needs.

Medical Director Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis welcomed the donation, describing it as a significant investment in the hospital’s ability to deliver timely and effective care.

“The acquisition of the portable ultrasound machine means our physicians can make faster, more accurate clinical decisions in critical moments, significantly improving patient outcomes,” she said.

Belle-Jarvis noted that the flexibility provided by the grant will also allow the hospital to address other urgent equipment needs, strengthening overall healthcare delivery.

Portable ultrasound technology has become an increasingly important tool in modern medicine, particularly in emergency departments and intensive care units, where rapid diagnosis can be crucial to patient survival and recovery.

The funding comes from The Linbury Trust, a UK-based charitable foundation established in 1973 by Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover and his wife, Anya, Lady Sainsbury. The trust is part of the wider Sainsbury Family Trust network and supports initiatives that improve quality of life and community well-being.

Director of The Linbury Trust, Stuart Hobley, said the organization was pleased to support the medical centre’s efforts to strengthen healthcare services in Antigua and Barbuda.

“We are pleased to support the team at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre as they work to upgrade their diagnostic infrastructure,” Hobley said. “By contributing to the acquisition of this portable ultrasound equipment, we are helping to ensure that healthcare professionals have the practical tools they need to deliver quality care to patients.”

The donation represents another step forward for SLBMC as it continues efforts to modernize its services and improve healthcare outcomes for residents across Antigua and Barbuda.

Hospital officials expressed gratitude to The Linbury Trust and its trustees for their support, noting that the grant will have a direct and lasting impact on patient care.