The Queen Elizabeth Hospital has issued a public advisory in response to the increased waiting times being experienced in the Accident and Emergency Department.
Below is the following statement
There has been a significant increase in patient flow into the department over the past two weeks, especially within the last 48 hours which has impacted the average waiting time for patients. Management is responding to the surge. Currently, about 50 patients are awaiting treatment and the increasing numbers of people seeking care have placed severe strain on the AED’s capacity to meet patient’s demands in a timely manner.
The QEH is at this time advising members of the public, that if your medical complaint is not life-threatening, there are options other than AED where you can receive the appropriate treatment. You can utilize the services of the polyclinic nearest you. After hours, please consider seeking treatment at the 24-hour Winston Scott Polyclinic at Jemmotts Lane, St. Michael or other private emergency care facilities. You can also seek advice from your private medical physician. Life-threatening conditions, under the AED’s Triage System will continue to be seen and treated immediately as they’re considered high priority. These include patients who for example, have life, limb or sight threatening complaints, gunshot wounds, heart attacks, active seizure activity or a patient who needs resuscitation.
Other individuals who present to AED at this time will experience extended waiting times until this situation is rectified.
We’ll continue to keep the public abreast of the situation in the Accident and Emergency Department. If you have questions about your current health status, feel free to contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (Help Desk) at 536-4800 using regular or WhatsApp calls from 9am until midnight.
We apologise for any inconvenience as we work to reduce extended waiting times and offer the best possible care and treatment in AED. (PR)