Following revelatory comments by a former KEMH Chief of Emergency, the hospital is to have an independent assessment aimed at ‘immediate corrective action’
Government of Bermuda Press Release:
The Ministry of Health today announced that the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has been formally directed to engage an external provider to conduct an independent, focused operational assessment of Emergency Department performance at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, aimed at immediate corrective action.
The direction follows continued operational pressure within the ED, particularly issues related to patient flow and bed boarding, which have contributed to delays in care and placed sustained strain on staff and services.
Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, said the Government expects a clear operational response from BHB to address these challenges as a matter of urgency. “The Emergency Department is a critical frontline service, and the current pressures require focused and immediate action,” said Minister Wilson. “This review is intended to identify practical, short‑term changes that BHB can implement to improve patient flow, reduce bed boarding, and support staff working under difficult conditions.”
The review will be conducted within a defined timeframe and will focus specifically on operational practices within the hospital that impact ED performance. It will examine how patients move through the Emergency Department, the factors that contribute to prolonged bed boarding, the management of bed capacity and discharge processes, and the admission, escalation, and throughput practices that influence overall performance. The objective is to identify concrete, actionable measures that can be implemented quickly to improve efficiency, patient experience, and safety within the ED.
Minister Wilson emphasised that the review is operational, not theoretical, and is intended to deliver measurable improvements. “This process is about accountability and results,” the Minister said. “We expect clear findings, practical recommendations, and prompt implementation.”
BHB has been directed to provide an initial update on the scope, methodology, and leadership of the review within seven days, with findings and recommendations to follow in accordance with the established timeline.
The Government will continue to monitor progress closely and remains committed to ensuring that Bermuda’s hospital services deliver timely, safe, and effective emergency care for the public.
