QEH mortuary to undergo major upgrade

A major overhaul of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s mortuary is to begin next week, forcing the temporary relocation of all autopsies during an eight- to 10-month makeover aimed at improving safety, technology and service delivery.

The announcement was made on Monday during the QEH Pulse Radio Show by QEH spokesman Shane Sealy, who said temporary arrangements have been put in place while the project is under way.

All coroners’ and hospital postmortem examinations were relocated on Monday to Tudor’s Funeral Home, Ivy, St Michael.

“Identification and viewing for postmortem cases will also take place at Tudor’s Funeral Home for the duration of this project,” Sealy said.

The project, which begins next Monday, will include the installation of a state-of-the-art negative-pressure ventilation system, along with other critical infrastructural upgrades.

Sealy said: “It will include the installation of a state of the art negative pressure ventilation system. Now this allows us to do things a whole lot better as far as mortuary services are concerned. It improves the separation of our clinical and family areas when we build out this kind of infrastructure and there will be other critical infrastructural upgrades. 

“These enhancements are designed to meet modern healthcare standards while providing a safer, more dignified environment for families, staff and all who use the facility.”

Sealy gave an assurance that the temporary relocation would not affect the quality or integrity of postmortem services:

“This is a temporary relocation and it will not affect the quality or integrity of our postmortem services. Our staff will continue to work closely with the families and relevant authorities throughout the process, and anyone required to identify or view a loved one in connection with a postmortem examination will be provided with the necessary guidance and support.”

Sealy also reiterated comments from the hospital’s acting director of support services, Jerry Warner, who described the project as a key investment in modernising an essential clinical facility:

“The upgrades will significantly improve the environment in which postmortem services are delivered, strengthen infection prevention measures and ensure that families receive services in a facility that reflects modern healthcare standards.”

(LG)