QEH: Extended wait time in Accident and Emergency Department

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) issued an advisory Sunday, saying the medical team in the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) is currently responding to a surge in the number of patients presenting for treatment with various medical complaints. 

At 4 p.m., approximately 47 patients were waiting to be seen and the average wait time currently exceeds 24 hours. 

“It is at this time that we encourage members of the public to use the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS/Help Desk) at 536-4800 using regular or whatsapp calls as your first point of contact,” reads the advisory.

“Our doctors will be available via the hotline from 9 a.m. to midnight. during this surge to provide medical advice to help you determine if AED should be the next course of action.” 

The QEH says the AED Team is currently working to reduce the number of patients in the department and the wait time, which has increased due to the temporary closure of the 24-hour Winston Scott Polyclinic at Jemmotts Lane, St Michael.  That facility is expected to reopen on Wednesday March 27, the hospital said.

“Life-threatening conditions, under the AED’s Triage System, will continue to be seen and treated immediately. 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,” the hospital said. 

“Other individuals who present to AED during the current surge will experience an extended wait for treatment.” 

Regular updates will be provided during the surge, and the QEH management has apologised for the inconvenience, as the AED team works to reduce waiting times and offer the best possible care and treatment.