Urgent Care Centre Closure this Weekend

Bermuda Hospitals Board today advises that it will have to close the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre this weekend (Saturday 17 and Sunday 18) as it is unable to cover an unplanned absence of the Emergency physician scheduled to work at the facility.

Dr Edward Schultz, Chief of Emergency and Hyperbaric Medicine, comments: “BHB is sorry that we are unable to find an Emergency physician to cover an unplanned absence by the scheduled physician at the UCC. We will open again on Monday 19 September 2016 at the usual time 4pm. Over the weekend, we ask that people with emergency medical needs go directly to the Emergency Department at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, which remains fully staffed and operational.”

BHB Update on the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre

Bermuda Hospitals Board today provides an update on maintenance plans for the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre (UCC).

BHB’s strategy seeks to improve quality of care, strengthen partnerships and support a healthy community. As part of this strategy, BHB will close the UCC for two weeks later this Fall to undertake maintenance work at in order to sustain the facility for urgent care, as a disaster hub in the event of an East End crisis such as a crash at the airport, and as an available medical facility for St David’s and St George’s residents when the causeway is closed.

Dr Edward Schultz, Chief of Emergency and Hyperbaric Medicine notes: “The need for the UCC has never been greater to manage the increasingly sick and senior population in Bermuda. Over the last five years, numbers at both the UCC and Emergency Department have trended slightly down (7.7%) from 39,564 to 36,518. Very likely, this relates to the decrease in local population numbers. However, the complexity we see in the Emergency Department is increasing. This relates to our ageing population, as our seniors can have multiple issues and medications, and the rising incidence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Diabetes can cause or complicate a patient’s medical condition and increase the likelihood of hospitalisation. At any time about 40% of people in hospital have diabetes. In Emergency, this complexity means each patient takes longer to triage, test, diagnose and treat and the numbers of admissions from Emergency into hospital is much higher. This has led to KEMH often working at capacity, and people are left waiting for an inpatient bed in Emergency. This, in turn, reduces the clinical space for incoming Emergency patients, who then also wait for longer. The need for the UCC has never been higher to relieve the pressure in the hospital Emergency department, and enable people who have urgent care needs in evenings and weekends to be seen relatively quickly.”

Mr Scott Pearman, Chief Operating Officer for KEMH and the UCC, adds: “The UCC facility is now seven years old and requires maintenance to refresh aging systems and prepare the facility for the projected influx of visitors due to the Americas Cup events scheduled in 2017. The maintenance work is planned for later in the fall when it will temporarily close for a couple of weeks so that the floor can be replaced, repairs can be made to the air conditioning system, and a number of less visible maintenance issues can be addressed. Numbers at the UCC tend to dip slightly towards late fall and the risks of hurricanes decline in October and November. We do not have a set date yet, as we will monitor storm activity and usage, but wanted to ensure people know about our plans. The UCC is strategically important to the island, and we will use a public process to identify potential partners that are interested in collaborating with the BHB to make use of the facility at times when the urgent care service is not in operation.”

Attachment 1: Urgent Care Centre and Emergency Department Usage

Outpatient clinics at KEMH have moved

Bermuda Hospitals Board advises the public that its outpatient clinics which operated from the ground floor of the General Wing at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital(KEMH) have moved to 2nd floor of the Acute Care Wing.

The clinics that have moved are: Infectious Diseases with Dr Michael Ashton, Nephrology with Dr Raphael Loutoby and Pain Management with Dr Annie Pinto and Dr Charles Swart.

The visitor parking lot on Point Finger Road close to the Emergency Department will be more convenient for patients using the services.

Within the hospital clear signage is posted directing the public to the new location. Patients have been advised of the move.

Bermuda Hospitals Board adds General Consent form

Consent to Your Care

Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is pleased to announce the introduction of the General Consent form for patients. The form is an addition to the list of required consents currently in place for patients.

Traditionally it has been assumed that anyone attending the hospital wanted treatment. Introduction of the General Consent form now formalises this relationship. The General Consent form covers routine medical care and non-invasive procedures. Simply put it is your consent to care. It is worth noting that BHB has always required consent forms for invasive procedures such as surgery and blood transfusions, and that use of these will continue.

BHB CEO Venetta Symonds explained the need for the form: “In our mission to provide exceptional care and a healthy community, we want to ensure that you are informed about your needs and that we have your permission to provide the best options available for health care diagnostics and intervention at the earliest possible opportunity.

“In fulfilling this mission we also need to know that every person that has been afforded our medical services or treatment, has given their permission to receive it and been apprised of their right to refuse it.

“We understand that no one wants to feel forced into health care decisions especially as these are often needed at times when we are most fragile and vulnerable.”

The General Consent form will become mandatory for all BHB patients over time. At present patients of the Diabetes Respiratory Endocrine and Metabolism (DREAM) Centre, Fracture Clinic and Allied Health Services are asked to complete it if they want to obtain treatment or services.

Members of the public do not have to sign the form but failure to sign it means no treatment or services will be given.

Processes are in place for those who are vulnerable and unable to sign on their own behalf. These processes will be extended and used with this additional consent form.

Members of the public can visit the BHB website www.bdahospitaldev.wpengine.com to review the form as well as frequently asked questions and answers (click the links below). Anyone requiring more information about the form can contact BHB Public Relations Senior Specialist Cathy Stovell or email public.relations@bhb.bm

• BHB General Consent Form
• BHB General Consent Factsheet

New hours at Craig Appin House reception

Bermuda Hospitals Board is advising the public that as of Monday 7 August the reception desk at its Craig Appin House location will open at 9am and close at 4:30pm. Craig Appin House is at 8 Wesley Street, Hamilton.
The new hours will be in place until further notice.

Bermuda Hospitals Board & Bermuda Road Safety Council urge the public to think Road Safety

On the eve of our annual Cup Match holiday weekend, the Bermuda Hospitals Board and the Bermuda Road Safety Council are advising the public to drive safely and responsibly.

“We urge the public not to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” said Bermuda Road Safety Council Chairperson Erica Rance Mills. “Please remember you are also at risk of causing an accident if you are tired or distracted.”

“Our statistics from the first of the year up to 12 July revealed that 837 victims required attention in the Emergency Department as a result of road traffic accidents,” said BHB Chief of Emergency Services Dr Edward Schultz. “Eighty-two of those victims had to be admitted to the Acute Care Wing for treatment and 16 had to be admitted to our Intensive Care Unit.”

To date, seven people have died from injuries sustained in road traffic accidents.

“We would like everyone to have a festive but safe holiday,” said BHB Chief Operating Officer Scott Pearman. “Observing the rules of the road and driving with focused attention on the road will go a long way to keeping you and everyone around you safe and out of the Emergency Department.”

Call for O Negative Blood Donations

Bermuda Hospitals Board today is asking for O negative blood donors to donate on the Tuesday and Wednesday before Cup Match, to ensure blood supplies are available over the long holiday weekend. Donors are asked to call 236-5067 to make an appointment.

Dr Eyitayo Fakunle, Consultant Haematologist, comments: “We have a short donation week due to the Cup Match Holiday and a lot of people who regularly donate are on vacation. We need to ensure all types of blood are available over the long weekend, but we are in special need of O negative blood. While we hope everyone enjoys the four days safely, accidents can happen, and if your life needs saving by a blood donation we must ensure blood supplies are available. If you don’t know your blood type, but are willing to donate, please call the Blood Donor Centre as your blood donation is always welcome and new blood donors are always needed.”

Agape House has reopened

Bermuda Hospitals Board is advising the public that renovations to Agape House have been completed and patients are now back in rooms there.
In February the hospice’s operations temporarily moved inside the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) so that repairs; including electrical, plumbing and flooring upgrades, could be undertaken.

All patients were relocated to the renovated building on Thursday 21 July.

Those visiting loved ones housed at Agape House should note that the services have resumed operations from the original location – overlooking the General Wing of KEMH.

Visiting the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre and KEMH Emergency Department

Cup Match hours

24 July 2016: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) wishes the public a happy and safe holiday weekend. However, if medical care is required, the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre (UCC) in St David’s will be open from 4pm to midnight on Thursday and Friday, and from noon to midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

Please note that if your condition is serious, you should go straight to the Emergency Department of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH). There are very limited diagnostic imaging (x-ray) and laboratory testing capabilities at the UCC.

The UCC offers services to assess and treat minor illnesses or injuries that need immediate attention, but are in no way life threatening and are not likely to need surgery or sophisticated diagnostic equipment. This includes sprains, strains, scrapes, cuts, coughs, colds, earaches, bumps and bruises.

The UCC is open every weekday from 4pm to midnight. Regular Saturday and Sunday hours are from noon to midnight.

BHB also reminds the public that KEMH Emergency Department physicians see and treat patients based on the seriousness of their conditions, not in order of arrival. Emergency Department staff will tell you your level and expected wait time when you arrive.

Below are the approximate wait times for each level of severity:
Level 1: [Immediate]
Level 2: 10 to 15 minutes
Level 3: 30 to 45 minutes
Level 4: 1 to 2 hours
Level 5: 2 hours or more

If you need to contact the UCC, call 298-7700. To contact the KEMH Emergency Department, call 239-2009.

Legislated smoking ban for Bermuda Hospitals Board facilities

No smoking will be allowed anywhere on the grounds of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) or the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre. Starting Monday 1 August 2016 it will be an offence to smoke anywhere on these properties.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Seniors to institute the ban in compliance with the Tobacco Control Act 2015. The Act mandates that no smoking will be allowed inside or outside health facilities. It also stipulates that cigarette, cigarette products and smokeless tobacco cannot be sold in health facilities.

Patients, visitors and staff will all be bound by the Act.
BHB will erect no smoking signage and hospital security staff will take appropriate action with violators.

“As healthcare professionals we are well aware of the risks associated with smoking,” said KEMH Chief Operating Officer Scott Pearman. “We also recognise that the change will prove a major adjustment for many smokers, but believe all will understand that it is entirely the right action to take. At BHB part of our vision is to build healthy communities. This is another step in that direction ”