BHB and Ministry of Health Issue Joint Statement – Hospital advances new measures to ease ED bed pressures with Government support

Thursday 9 April 2026: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) and the Ministry of Health are jointly acknowledging the significant and ongoing pressures affecting access to Emergency Care at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH).

ED wait times are too long, and too many surgeries are being cancelled, and we are taking decisive, systemwide action to fix these issues so that care at Bermuda’s only hospital is faster, safer, and more reliable for everyone.

BHB Statement

BHB continues to experience unprecedented demand for Emergency Care, this has been reflected in continued Emergency room attendances over recent months. This pressure is driven by an aging population with increasingly complex care needs, including rising chronic and mental health conditions, and the number of acute care beds occupied by patients who are medically fit for discharge but cannot yet transition safely to home or to long-term care.

When a patient is medically fit for discharge, the hospital must transition them out of an acute bed so that care remains available for those who need it most. At that point, home or an appropriate community-based setting is the right place for continued recovery.

We recognise that some families face genuine financial, physical, or emotional challenges in providing care at home, and we work closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure that available supports are accessed. At the same time, timely engagement in the discharge process is essential. When families do not participate in planning or delay decisions, it contributes to bed pressures that affect the entire hospital and the wider community.

Emergency Department pressures are not new and reflect global trends, but the most significant driver today is the number of acute beds occupied by medically fit patients who cannot yet be safely discharged.

At times, more than 40 of the hospital’s 90 acute care beds, and over 60 beds across the hospital, have been filled by medically fit patients. When acute beds are full, Emergency Department patients wait longer to be seen, admitted, or transferred. These delays have real consequences for patients, families, and our clinical teams.

Acting BHB CEO, Ms Judy Richardson, said: “The BHB has expanded care within both the KEMH and MWI to manage increased demand and maintain patient flow. Numerous bed flow initiatives are underway to support timely decision-making. We are also making full use of all available clinical spaces, and beyond where feasible.

“In addition, existing inpatient units within the Acute Care Wing are accommodating increased numbers, and planning is underway for a dedicated overflow unit once staffing allows.”

BHB’s Emergency Department staff, physicians, nurses, EMTs, and support teams continue to deliver safe, consistent care despite sustained high demand and significant operational pressures. Staff are managing these pressures professionally, and BHB recognises the ongoing effort required to maintain service levels under these conditions, for which we express continued gratitude.

To help relieve pressure, BHB is implementing a range of measures, including enhanced discharge planning, expanded use of transitional spaces, and strengthened coordination with community partners. These efforts are part of a broader, systemwide response that requires collaboration across the entire health and social care landscape.

The BHB will work with the Government to assess future infrastructure needs, and with the significant additional funding and support from the Government, we are establishing a 30-bed Transitional Care Unit to improve patient flow.

Minister of Health Statement

Minister of Health Kim Wilson, JP, MP, emphasised that the pressures at KEMH reflect longstanding, generational challenges across Bermuda’s community. “Bermuda has one of the fastest-aging populations in the world. Many families are simultaneously caring for children, working multiple jobs, and supporting aging parents. Many patients are not remaining in hospital beds by choice; they are there because the supports needed for safe discharge are not yet fully in place.”

The Minister highlighted that the Government is responding directly to these challenges through the 2026/27 Budget. This includes $55 million in additional operational support for BHB, alongside $12 million in capital funding for KEMH and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

While these measures will not resolve current pressures immediately, the Government is also investing in long-term care expansion through the rebuild of Lefroy House and the continued development of the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility.

Minister Wilson added, “When a patient is medically ready to leave the hospital, transitioning to home or an appropriate community setting is the best next step for their continued recovery. This also helps ensure that hospital beds remain available for those who require acute care. We recognise that this transition can be challenging for families balancing work, financial pressures, and the emotional responsibilities of caregiving. That is why the Government is committed to strengthening the supports available to them.”

Through the Home First strategy, the Government is enhancing home care benefits, removing the 12-month waiting period for Personal Home Care under HIP and FutureCare, and modernising primary care through upgraded clinics and digital tools.

Both BHB and the Ministry of Health stress that addressing Emergency Department pressures requires partnership across Government, the hospital, physicians, long-term care providers, families, caregivers, and the wider community.

“Every bed represents a person in need,” said Minister Wilson. “Together, we can ensure that Bermuda’s hospital remains strong, compassionate, and responsive for our loved ones and for future generations.”

BHB added: “We remain committed to transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health and our community partners to ensure that patients receive the right care in the right setting. We also support constructive dialogue that advances practical solutions to improve patient flow and access to care.”