Acerca de
About Us
BPTA History
Physical Therapy in Barbados had its origins during the period of the Polio outbreak in 1963, when two physical therapists worked tirelessly with those victims of the disease. One of those was a Barbadian, wife of a physician; the other came from the U.K. At the time, physical therapy was performed at the Barbados General Hospital located at Jemmotts Lane. However with the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in 1964, the department was relocated to the ground floor of the hospital where it is still located today.
Today, the Physical Therapy department of the QEH has an entirely Barbadian staff. There are several private physical therapy practices throughout the island in addition to the availability of these services at the polyclinics and district hospitals on a part time basis.
Barbados has over 60 registered and practicing physical therapists with the majority in private practice. The BPTA is 25 years strong and growing.
Through an association such as this, therapists are now eligible for membership with World Physiotherapy, the global body for 121 physiotherapy member organisation representing 625000 physiotherapists. This enhances their accessibility to current trends in treatment approaches and techniques and facilitates the exchange of such information bilaterally.
BPTA Vision
To visibly move the physical therapy profession forward with one unified voice so that the profession is recognized locally for its significant role in improving health and well- being.
BPTA Mission
To promote high standards of physical therapy practice and education and to be advocates for the promotion of optimal health and wellness in Barbados.
A Short Note from the President
The Barbados Physical Therapy Association (BPTA) is an organization, whose mantra, is to bring awareness to the value of our profession within our country. We are movement experts with a wide range of expertise amongst our members. Some of which include: women’s health, lymphedema, vestibular rehabilitation, sports rehab, and the management of orthopedic, geriatric, neurological, cardiopulmonary, and pediatric conditions.
We are ever cognizant of the devastating impact that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are having on our nation. As physical therapists, we have always been an integral part of rehabilitating the damaging effects of NCDs, but we are equally equipped and ready to join in the preventative fight.
Over the year 2026-2027, the Executive will focus particularly on strengthening advocacy efforts to improve access to physiotherapy services, increasing public awareness of the role and benefits of physiotherapy, supporting continuing professional development opportunities for members, and fostering stronger collaboration across the healthcare sector. These priorities are aimed at advancing the profession while improving health outcomes for all Barbadians through movement, rehabilitation, and preventative care.
As the Association looks ahead, the Executive will work closely with members, healthcare partners, policymakers, and the wider community to elevate the profile of physiotherapy and strengthen its contribution to national health and wellness.
The team remains committed to the Association’s mission of promoting high standards of physiotherapy practice and education while advocating for optimal health and wellness across Barbados.
Together We Can Move Physiotherapy Forward!