Surgeries being done at QEH

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) says its recent postponement of elective surgeries was not prolonged, and it “continues to provide the full range of surgical services to the people of Barbados”.

In a statement published on the website of the Barbados Government Information Service, the QEH acknowledged that on Monday, the Acting Director of Medical Services made a strategic decision to temporarily postpone elective surgeries scheduled for the following day, due to the hospital’s high bed occupancy.

“This decision resulted in the rescheduling of six elective cases, and arrangements were immediately put in place to facilitate these elective procedures between Wednesday, August 24, and Saturday, August 27. As such, there was no protracted postponement of elective surgeries as was reported in the media,” it said in its statement on Friday.

The hospital currently has 519 in-patient beds.

The QEH management noted that after surgery, in-patient beds are required for patients to fully recover.

“It would be irresponsible to admit patients for elective surgery when the in-patient bed occupancy rate remains extremely high,” it said.

“Therefore, priority is given to emergency procedures as persons awaiting elective surgery can be safely accommodated at a later date.” (BGIS/BT)