Health Minister urges families and public to ease pressure as discharge delays and ED congestion strain the hospital
Government press release:
The Ministry of Health today issued an urgent appeal to the public as King Edward VII Memorial Hospital continues to experience significant pressure. Patients who need to be admitted for inpatient care are waiting for beds in the Emergency Department, while many individuals who are medically fit for discharge remain in acute care units.
Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, stated: “Our hospital is under tremendous pressure. At this time, we have patients in the Emergency Department waiting for admission, while more than half of the beds are occupied by individuals who are medically fit for discharge. This situation is unsustainable and impacts the ability of our healthcare professionals to provide timely care to those in urgent need.
Minister Wilson emphasised that the hospital’s Emergency Department should be reserved for true emergencies: “The Emergency Department is not the place for routine care. If you are experiencing minor illnesses or injuries, please visit your primary care physician or the urgent care clinic if it is on Saturday or Sunday between 9am and 9pm. Hospital beds must remain available for those in critical need. We all have a role to play in ensuring the system functions effectively.”
With Bermuda now in the midst of the cold and flu season, the Minister reminded the public to take proactive steps to protect their health. Practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing; stay home if you are unwell to prevent spreading illness; get vaccinated; and seek advice from your primary care physician for non-emergency conditions.
The Ministry of Health and the Bermuda Hospitals Board are actively working to ease the strain on the hospital system by expanding nursing home capacity to provide more long-term care placements, strengthening home care services so families can manage discharged patients at home with professional support, partnering with private care providers to increase options for community-based care, and improving discharge coordination to ensure medically fit patients leave the hospital promptly.
Minister Wilson also reminded families of their responsibility to support loved ones who are medically fit for discharge: “The KEMH Acute Care Wing is not intended or appropriate for long-term accommodation. Families must step forward to care for relatives once they are medically fit for discharge. By doing so, you are helping ensure that beds are available for those who truly need them.”
KEMH CEO, Mr. Scott Pearman, added: “BHB has activated a response to release the acute beds for the patients waiting in the emergency. This is being achieved by opening surge spaces in the General Wing, or doubling up rooms in the Acute Care Wing, into which medically fit for discharge patients will be transferred.
“This means medically fit for discharge patients will be in communal rooms, enabling us to focus the acute resources on those who are most in need. These additional beds very clearly increase the need for additional staffing, and we would like to thank all the BHB clinical and support staff who are making this happen with additional shifts. This work has helped us reduce the number of patients waiting for an acute care bed in the Emergency Department from a high of 30 on Tuesday.
Mr. Pearman also acknowledged the dedication of emergency staff and the patience of those waiting: “We need to appreciate emergency staff and patients in the Emergency Department who have been experiencing a high level of overcrowding. Our excellent emergency staff have been ensuring all patients with emergency needs get seen despite this pressure. People with true emergencies, whether a suspected stroke, chest pains or unexplained bleeding, will be seen in good time and must attend as needed.
”To help reduce the number of people in the Emergency Department itself, we have been running our additional Fast Track system for lower acuity cases. However, we implore people who are only experiencing minor issues to book a visit with their primary care physician. We have noticed that there is a significant number of people who do not have a primary care physician of record who come to the Emergency Department. It is incredibly important that they sign up with a primary care physician and not use emergency services for all their medical issues. This is not just to reduce emergency pressure. Your primary care physician is your community partner in managing your health, knowing your history, ensuring you are on top of regular tests and screening, and managing any chronic issues you may have.”
The Ministry of Health continues to work with the Bermuda Hospitals Board to expand community care options and relieve pressure on acute care services.
Minister Wilson concluded: “We must act together. By taking care of ourselves, using the healthcare system responsibly, and supporting our families, we can ease the strain on our hospital and ensure that care is available for those who need it most.”
