Health officials are expecting overcrowding to worsen at the Yuletide season approaches and Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says discussions are underway with the Spanish Town Hospital and the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) to see how the burden placed on health workers, due to overcrowding, can be lessened.

He said that the issue of overcrowding persists mainly in urban hospitals, particularly the accidents and emergency departments. The situation is projected to get worse as the Christmas season approaches.

A meeting was held last week Monday with the management of the Spanish Town Hospital and the SERHA to assess what can be done to reduce overcrowding at the health facility.

“Since that time, there have been attempts at moving some patients to the National Chest Hospital, which was a decision we took. There is a discussion taking place as it relates to Bellevue Hospital because there are about 29 acute mental health patients that have occupied beds there, and some other things that are being done to hasten the process of triaging, releasing, and dealing with the cases so that we free up the wait,” said Tufton.

At the time of the discussion, he said 80 persons were waiting for beds at the Spanish Town Hospital. The health minister said the patients were placed on chairs. However, they were placed in areas that were not considered wards.

Citizens urged to be patient

Other overcrowded hospitals being targeted include the University Hospital of the West Indies, Cornwall Regional, and Savanna-la-Mar Hospital.

“We understand the challenges and certainly empathise with those persons who have to experience that particular situation, but unfortunately, there is not much more we can do at this point in time except try to manage as best as possible,” said Tufton.

The health minister urged patients who visit the hospitals to be patient with the staff. He pointed out that hospitals do not operate on a first-come-first-serve basis. Instead, patients with more serious injuries are treated first. As such, patients with minor symptoms or injuries should expect a longer wait time.

Tufton also urged citizens to refrain from visiting hospitals if their conditions are not severe. Instead, they are encouraged to visit health centres or private doctors to be assessed.

An appeal was once again made for citizens who have not collected their family members from the hospitals to do so so that bed spaces can become available.