More visitors allowed from 27 January

Wednesday 27 January 2021: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) today announces that, given the return to a lower prevalence of COVID-19 in Bermuda, that it will allow more visitation from Wednesday 27 January 2021 for acute care and long term care patients.

Key changes include two visitors allowed at any one time for acute care patients in the ACW, one visitor at any time for acute care patients in the General Wing, and long term care patients can receive one visitor for an hour each day.

Norma Smith, Vice President, Clinical Operations (Acute and Ambulatory) comments: “We have watched the encouraging drop in local transmission over the last couple of weeks and believe it is safe enough to once more allow more visitation, although everyone is reminded that masks and physical distancing remain mandatory. People who are visiting will need to have a temperature check and mask check as they enter the building and, as before, people who have travelled should not visit friends and family at the hospitals until they have a negative day 14 COVID-19 test. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and restrictions may have to be increased should prevalence rise again; please call the unit if you are unsure. Please also remember that visiting for all areas, except ICU, ends at 6pm and visitors will not be able to access the wards after this time. Please work with us to keep patients safe.”

People attending the Emergency Department are reminded, however, that companions should still not attend with them other than in exceptional circumstances.

Dr Chikeze Dean Okerekie, Chief of Emergency comments: “Although the prevalence of Covid-19 in Bermuda is presently low, we still have to socially distance and consequentially, the ED waiting area cannot accommodate every patient having a companion. The ED will allow one companion in cases where the patient is vulnerable, under 18 (legal minor), or if the patient is combative, or near end of life. Should a patient pass away, ED will allow an additional person to support the companion. In such circumstances, ED will only permit three companions in the ED family room. BHB cannot accommodate groups of family and friends due to the pandemic restrictions on gatherings and having people in enclosed spaces. We recognise how difficult such moments are, but need to ensure and practice safety first at all times.”

The following requirements must be followed when visiting any BHB services:
· Visitors must be masked at all times, including in patient rooms
· Visitors must maintain physical distancing at all times, including in patient rooms
· People who have symptoms of COVID-19 or any other infection will not be allowed to visit.
· For infection control purposes, visitors will not be allowed to use patient bathrooms and will need to use public restrooms on each floor.
· If someone has travelled, they should only visit after they have a negative day 14 test.
· Overnight stays are not allowed at this time, other than in exceptional circumstances.

As different areas have responded at different times in response to the pandemic, all current visiting requirements are listed below:

Acute care patients in the Acute Care Wing units (Ace Barber, Ascendent Partner Re, Catlin Lindo): patients who are not on isolation can have up to two visitors in their room at any one time between noon and 6pm.

Acute care patients in the General Wing (Curtis Ward): as these rooms are smaller and have other patients in, acute care patients in the General Wing (Curtis Ward) can have one visitor in their room at any one time between noon and 6pm.

Isolation patients: For patients on isolation due to a known infection of any kind, or in the first 24 hours of admission while waiting for results of the required COVID-19 test, two designated support people pre-identified by the patient will be able to visit for up to two hours per day.

Intensive Care Unit: Designated support people allowed to visit for two hours between 10am and 2pm, or 4pm and 8pm. Visitors must be on the ICU visitors’ list.

Maternity:
· One designated support person may stay up to 8 hours after the birth
· If the mother is not discharged within 24 hours, the support person will now be allowed to visit up to 4 hours a day between 10am and 6pm.
· Doulas will be allowed for the birth with a support person

Acute Inpatient Care for Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute services (adult, child and adolescent services):
· Pre-identified support people can visit for 30 minutes each day between 12 noon and 6pm
· Support people should check in at the front desk
· One person can visit at any one time and visitation will be in a public space, such as a family conference room.

Long Term Care (KEMH and MWI), including Group Homes:
· One designated support person can visit for one hour each day between 12 noon and 6pm.

Emergency Department and Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre:
· Patients should come to emergency on their own, to minimise numbers in the ED waiting room and ensure physical distancing is possible
· Exceptions for one visitor will be made in the following circumstances:
· Vulnerable individuals and children (1 parent/support person)
· Combative individuals
· End of life cases
· Please note if someone dies in the ED, or is brought to the hospital after passing away, only one person and one support person for that individual can attend. Family and friends should not attend as there is not adequate space to gather safely, and the ability to offer viewings very limited.

Mental Health Act Code of Practice now available

Monday 18 January 2021: The Ministry of Health and Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) today announce that the Bermuda Mental Health Act Code of Practice is now available, following the consultation process last year, a process which was undertaken by BHB on the Ministry’s behalf.

The Code provides guidance to medical practitioners, BHB staff and approved mental health professionals on how they should carry out their responsibilities under the Mental Health Act when providing psychiatric treatment and care for persons suffering from mental disorder. The Code will also help patients and their families to understand what they can expect from health professionals who are assisting with their loved ones’ treatment.

It can be found at https://www.gov.bm/mental-health and the link is available on the BHB mental health website at bermudahospitals.bm.

The Minister of Health, Hon. Kim Wilson, JP MP, comments: “I’m very pleased that the Code of Practice is now live – the first ever Code of Practice in Bermuda for mental health. It will provide clarity to all mental health professionals in Bermuda about how they should carry out their roles and responsibilities under the Bermuda Mental Health Act with the goal of delivering high quality and safe care. It outlines protections for patients and explains roles, rights and responsibilities. It is both a guide for professionals and also for patients, families and their carers.”

Preston Swan, VP of Clinical Operations, Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, comments: “BHB is very happy to have supported the consultation process on behalf of the Ministry. It is a great step forward in Bermuda that mental health professionals now have this important Code of Conduct to guide our work and to ensure that safe, effective and consistent services are delivered to people in Bermuda. It is also a great guide for patients, families and carers, setting transparent and clear expectations on how services and processes under the Mental Health Act should work.”

Bermuda Hospitals Board COVID-19 vaccination update

Friday 15 January 2021: BHB today provided details of vaccinations given over this week to staff and patients, from Monday 11 January to Friday 15 January 2021.

Dr Michael Ashton, Chief of Medicine & Infectious Diseases Specialist, gets vaccinated at the BHB clinic.

Over the five days, 744 COVID-19 vaccinations were given at BHB. Of these, 584 vaccinations were given to hospital workers in the BHB COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic, and 160 were given to long term care patients at KEMH and MWI (including group homes). The second doses for the individuals vaccinated this week will take place in 21 days, between 1 and 5 of February 2021. In addition, a second clinic for people to get their first shot will be run in a couple of weeks for people who may feel more comfortable getting vaccinated now they have seen the roll out start. Dates will be confirmed shortly.

Judy Richardson, Chief of Nursing and executive lead for the BHB vaccination roll out comments: “I’m so pleased that we have begun vaccination at BHB. Right now there is no better protection available so getting access to the vaccine is great news for people in healthcare and our community. We hope, as well, that this is just the start. Additional vaccination slots were added onto the Friday clinic to include some people who made a decision to book later in the week, but I feel encouraged as more staff are saying they feel more comfortable getting their first shot now they have seen one group go through. For this reason, we are planning a second clinic, likely in a couple of weeks.

Ms Richardson adds: “The clinic ran very smoothly and a big thank you has to go to all the departments who cleaned andcleared the space, and those who set up, supported and ran the clinic at KEMH, and all those who organised and delivered vaccinations across long term care units at KEMH, MWI and 26 group homes. We did not have any patient safety issues, and people only experienced the expected mild side effects for a few days, which is in line with international experience. We will continue to share information to educate and encourage more staff to get vaccinated. This is our best protection. It is safe, effectiveand will protect people in our hospitals and community.”

BHB has about 1,900 staff including casuals, part time staff and locums; about 1,500 of this number are full time staff. All staff were sent a vaccination intent form, in which they could elect to accept or decline the COVID-19 vaccination. 872 people returned the intent form. Everyone who wanted a vaccination at this time got a booking.

BHB has approximately 250 long term care patients. The long term care patients who were not vaccinated were due to families or the patients themselves declining the vaccination.

Why I will be getting the COVID-19 vaccine

Dr Michael Ashton

By Dr Michael Ashton, BHB Chief of Medicine and Infectious Diseases Specialist

Friday 8 January 2021: One of the ICU nurses approached me again as I was coming out of a patient room and asked when the vaccine for COVID-19 will become available in Bermuda. As before, we both keenly agreed that we will gratefully receive it when it finally arrives. We have only to look across the ICU to see the devastating potential of COVID-19 as a disease.

As an Infectious Diseases and Internal Medicine specialist practicing in Bermuda for the last 10 years, I am regularly reminded how patients can succumb to disease. Even initial appearances of health and stability can sometimes betray the fragile balance in which we all exist. The COVID-19 pandemic rages on around the world, now with increasing efficiency, and we are far from herd immunity. Without an effective vaccine, there would be no end to the pandemic in sight; and our most vulnerable friends and family would have no hope of a normal life.

And yet after much determination and rigorous testing, there are now several approved vaccines (including mRNA vaccines) with extensive data published from multiple peer-reviewed and credible sources to establish safety and effectiveness. Remarkably, and unlike many other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness has been observed in most all populations – irrespective of age, race or health status.

Bermuda has struggled and made great sacrifices. We have only have to look to our neighbors to recognize the great risks that we have faced. The COVID-19 vaccines now represent a safe and responsible path back to normality. To start, there will be a limited supply of vaccine, so it makes sense for the vaccine to be first available to front-line and vulnerable people. No-one will ever be forced to take this vaccine, but having seen the consequences of this disease and having followed the vaccine development, I wholeheartedly encourage those eligible to receive the vaccine when it becomes available.

Ultimately, whether you take the vaccine is a personal decision – but with implications for those around you. As you weigh the risks and benefits, ensure that your sources of information are reliable, credible, and preferably from peer-reviewed publications. Consider each contingency and have a plan. For the vast majority of people, the vaccine benefits far outweigh the risks. But if you choose not to take the vaccine, are you prepared to continue to be at risk for contracting COVID-19? What will you do instead to protect yourself and those around you? And if you were to get sick, who will take care of you?

Dr Wesley Miller appointed as BHB chief of staff

Thursday 17 December 2020: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) today announces that Dr Wesley Miller has been appointed as Chief of Staff, effective Monday 4 January 2021. He takes over from Dr Michael Richmond, who was appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & President in August this year. Dr Miller is currently BHB’s Chief of Surgery. The Chief of Staff position reports to the CEO, and is accountable to the Board and Minister of Health.

As Chief of Staff, Dr Miller will lead BHB’s team of medical and support personnel. The position is the most senior medical role at BHB and is responsible for the supervision of medical and dental care given to patients and residents in BHB facilities. Dr Miller’s role ensures patient safety, sound clinical governance and building positive relations with the physician community.

Chairman of the Board William Madeiros comments: “We would like to congratulate Dr Miller on his appointment to the Chief of Staff position. Dr Miller is a respected senior medical leader at BHB and his medical experience and skills, and strong relationships with local physicians, will be critical as we navigate through these challenging times.”

CEO Dr Michael Richmond comments: “I’m very pleased to welcome Dr Miller into this new senior role. I’ve had the benefit of working with Dr Miller since 2017 and value his strengths and standing as a physician leader. He is the right person for the job as we manage our hospitals through unprecedented times, due to the global pandemic, and responding to the economic and health impact on our community.”

Dr Wesley Miller had been Chief of Surgery at BHB since 2007. Before arriving in Bermuda, he worked in Jamaica and the United Kingdom. In 1989, he was awarded Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland. He went on to serve as a registrar in Portsmouth, a senior registrar in Northern Ireland, and an ear, nose and throat surgeon in Rotherham, Yorkshire. In 1996, he was recruited to work as an otolaryngologist in Bermuda. After joining BHB, Dr Miller offered a wide range of services including paediatric and adult ENT procedures, sleep studies, allergy testing and management, and the evaluation and management of chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD) and asthma.

Dr Miller comments: “I am looking forward to taking on the Chief of Staff role and working with the physician community inside and outside the hospitals. We are in difficult times, but my focus will remain on ensuring safe, quality services that can adapt to the pandemic restrictions and economic challenges we currently face.”

The Chief of Staff appointment and compensation are approved by the Board and Minister of Health. Compensation for this position is $475,000 per year.