QEH facing surge in patients at Accident & Emergency Department

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is reporting a significant increase in the number of patients turning up at the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) with various medical complaints. And it is advising those whose cases are not urgent to seek medical care at other facilities or be prepared for an extended wait.

In a statement issued on Monday, the QEH said: “Life-threatening conditions, under the AED’s Triage System will continue to be seen and treated immediately. Other individuals who present to AED with conditions considered less urgent during the current surge will in some cases have an extended wait for treatment.”

As the AED medical team works to manage this surge in patients, the QEH has reminded the public about the other options for medical assessment and treatment “to avoid any extended wait in the department, especially if your case is not urgent”.

They can call the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS/Help Desk) at 536-4800 using regular or WhatsApp calls between 9 a.m. and midnight: “Our medical personnel will be able to give an initial assessment and provide advice on your next course of action for treatment.”

Patients can also seek treatment at the 24-hour clinic at Winston Scott Polyclinic at Jemmotts Lane, St Michael or contact their private medical physician for advice on their condition.

“Updates will be provided as AED medical team manages the surge, and we do apologise for any inconvenience as we work to reduce waiting times and offer the best possible care and treatment,” the QEH statement added.