About Cathy Stovell

Stroke and the holidays

Monday 16 December 2024: The Christmas holiday season, as joyful as it is, can also be stressful for many adults. Amid the increased pressures and demands, Bermuda Hospitals Board’s Primary Stroke Centre and Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute urge everyone to be mindful of their mental and physical health.

Psychosocial stress, excessive alcohol intake, overeating, physical inactivity and sleep deprivation are common during this period and can increase the risk for certain health conditions, including stroke.

“In the US, more strokes are reported from November to February,” said BHB Primary Stroke Centre Director Dr Srinath Meadipudi. “That’s why we are encouraging the public again to get to the hospital as fast as possible at the earliest indication that someone may be experiencing a stroke.”

BE FAST is the acronym to help remember the signs and symptoms of stroke. If you or someone you know suddenly loses Balance, experiences a change in Eyesight, suffers Facial drooping, weakness in an Arm or leg, changes in Speech where it may become slurred or not accessible, then it’s Time to call 911 and report to the hospital immediately.

“When people seek emergency care quickly, our physicians can administer tenecteplase, a blood-clot-busting drug, within the crucial time window,” said Dr Meadipudi. “This treatment greatly improves stroke outcomes and helps stroke patients achieve better recovery.

“Since BE FAST was launched as part of our public education on stroke, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people attending the hospital at the first signs of stroke. Every minute matters, and presenting to the Emergency Department as soon as possible allows us to deliver the best possible care to those in need.”

BHB thanks everyone who has listened, learned and taken action by recognising stroke symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention.

“Together, we are improving stroke care and saving lives,” said Dr Meadipudi.

For information leaflets on stroke symptoms, what to do in an emergency and what you can do to minimise your stroke risk, please visit the Primary Stroke Centre online at bermudahospitals.bm.

16 December 2024 Home Page, News

BHB Public Advisory: No through traffic at KEMH between Point Finger and Berry Hill roads on Saturday 14 December 2024

Wednesday 11 December 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board advises the public that there will be no through traffic on the campus of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) between Point Finger Road and Berry Hill Road on Saturday 14 December from 7am – 9am.

People will be able to access the Emergency Department, the main Acute Care Wing (ACW) entrance and the ACW visitor parking lot from Point Finger Road.

Access from Berry Hill Road will stop at the Berry Hill visitor parking lot for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

To ensure safety, please adhere to all signage, barricades and directions of personnel at the site.

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11 December 2024 News

BHB urges online bill payment

Tuesday 10 December 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) will no longer accept payments at its Hamilton location in Craig Appin House on Wesley Street. Patients are encouraged to make payments online where possible.

The change takes effect on 1 January 2025.

Butterfield and HSBC Banks have included BHB in their list of payees for online payments. Clarien Bank clients can do an online transfer using BHB account #6000247519. Payees should include their statement number followed by their full name with any online payment.

Payments can be made with cash, credit card or personal cheque at King Edward VII Memorial Hospitals cashier’s window, Ground Floor Acute Care Wing from 9am-3pm, the Emergency Department Admitting window from 3pm-9am on weekdays and all day on weekends, and the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre during its opening hours – 9am-9pm Saturdays and Sundays.

“I also remind the public to speak with our accounts department if they are having difficulty settling their bill,” said BHB Chief Financial Officer Arthur Ebbin. “We will work on a payment plan with you.”

 

10 December 2024 Home Page, News

BHB Public Advisory: Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre closed on Sunday

Tuesday 10 December 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board advises the public that due to a shortage of staff, the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre (UCC) will be closed on Sunday 15 December 2024.

The UCC will be open its regular hours of 9am to 9pm on Saturday 14 December 2024.

This temporary UCC closure is to ensure adequate staffing levels to safely manage demand for all patients who require urgent or emergency care. BHB apologises for the inconvenience.

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10 December 2024 Home Page, News

Joint Statement from BHB, PALS, Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre (BCHC) and Ministry of Health on oncology referral navigation

Friday 15 November 2024: Cancer care service providers are working together around the clinical care of all patients with cancer and wanted to provide an overview of how new cancers will be managed while Bermuda Hospitals Board’s (BHB’s) two newly appointed oncologists go through the final stages of moving to the island.

Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) announced last week that two new full-time oncologists had been hired.  Their immigration applications have now been approved and BHB is in the process of confirming start dates of the new oncologists.

Although BHB’s medical oncology capacity has been reduced, the clinical teams are all here to help and will remain involved for all those with cancer. Moving forward, all referrals for oncology patients should be sent via email to the BCHC Cancer Navigator at referrals@chc.bm. Any referrals received directly to medical oncology via the current route will be forwarded on.

This includes new consults, previously seen patients with new issues and any returning overseas patients.

As standard, referrals should include a referral letter, pathology report, imaging reports, lab work and any overseas notes.

Each patient will be triaged and reviewed through an additional oncology tumour board dedicated to triaging patient care. This will occur weekly or as needed for urgent patients.  Recommendations will be documented in a tumour board note, and the patient will be followed to the next steps of their pathway.

Patients requiring further discussion with the wider multidisciplinary team will be presented at the General tumour board, which occurs each Friday.

Patients requiring referral overseas for treatment will have their HIAB form completed by the navigation team. However, the GP or referring physician will remain the point of contact for those patients and will be required to contact the patient to advise them of the tumour board recommendation.

The cancer navigator will then follow up with the patient regarding overseas referral information/process.  Patients will be advised to liaise with their insurance company regarding which facility they should be referred to.

Patients who can receive treatment on the island will be referred to the appropriate physicians and monitored by the navigation team for any status updates/changes.

The Navigation team can be contacted with any other questions or concerns:

Michele Hypolite & Harriet Stuckes

referrals@chc.bm

441-621-1003

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15 November 2024 Home Page, News

No through traffic at KEMH between Point Finger and Berry Hill roads on Saturday morning

Wednesday 6 November 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board advises the public that there will be no through traffic on the campus of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) between Point Finger Road and Berry Hill Road on Saturday 9 November from 7am- noon.

People will be able to access the Emergency Department, the main Acute Care Wing (ACW) entrance and the ACW visitor parking lot from Point Finger Road.

Access from Berry Hill Road will stop at the Botanical Gardens’ gate to KEMH.

To ensure safety, please adhere to all signage, barricades and directions of personnel at the site.

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6 November 2024 Home Page, News

Reduce your stroke risk with physical activity

Tuesday 22 October 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board’s (BHB) Emergency Department sees an average of five people every week who are experiencing a stroke. That’s over 200 people every year.

“Our Primary Stroke Centre provides comprehensive stroke services, but we would like the public to take necessary actions to prevent stroke in the first instance and to seek medical care immediately if affected by stroke,” said Dr Srinath Meadipudi, BHB Primary Stroke Centre director.

“Knowing the risks and taking conscious action to reduce them will help you avoid becoming a stroke victim,” he continued.

October 29th is World Stroke Day, and in keeping with the international theme to boost physical activity, BHB encourages the public to be as physically active as they can.

Regular physical activity is a preventative measure for stroke. Statistics show that at least 30 minutes of physical activity five times a week reduces stroke risk by 20-25%. Physical activity after a stroke aids in recovery and the quality of life of stroke patients.

“At BHB we are encouraging all our staff to take the stairs where possible, instead of using elevators,” said Dr Meadipudi. “We invite the public to join our take the stairs effort or to create a movement goal that better suits their environment, from 28 October.”

BHB also reminds the public to BE FAST in recognising and responding to stroke symptoms.

B is for Balance – sudden loss of balance, headache or dizziness

E is for Eyes – sudden blurred vision

F is for Face – one side of the face is drooping

A is for Arms – sudden weakness in an arm or leg

S is for Speech – sudden difficulty speaking or making sense

T is for Time – Time to call 911 and get to the Emergency Department as soon as possible

 

More about the BHB Primary Stroke Centre

 

22 October 2024 Home Page, News

Bermuda Public Services Union partners with BHB for Mental Health Expo

Thursday 10 October 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has partnered with the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU) for its upcoming Mental Health Expo, scheduled for Saturday 12 October 2024 from 1pm to 4:30pm at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI).

The two organisations joined forces after BHB’s planned Mental Health Awareness Fair, set for World Mental Health Day on Thursday, was cancelled due to forecasted heavy winds. The joint event on Saturday will now feature a broader range of participation from mental health professionals, expanding the scope and impact of the Expo.

“We’re delighted that the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute team will have a greater presence than initially planned,” said Karen Grant-Simmons, BHB clinical director of mental health and BPSU chairperson of the Mental Health Campaign Committee. “We look forward to continuing this collaboration to benefit our Bermuda community.”

Psychiatric nurse Rebecca Fisayo, chair of BHB’s Mental Health Awareness Committee and clinical manager of community mental health, expressed similar sentiments: “Our disappointment with the cancellation of Thursday’s fair was quickly reversed at the BPSU’s  willingness for us to partner with them for Saturday’s event.”

Bro. Armell Thomas, President of the BPSU, emphasised the importance of unity in these efforts: “As a union, we believe in the strength of collaboration. When BHB, one of our largest bargaining units, approached us, we did not hesitate to join forces. Together, we are stronger, and we believe this partnership will greatly benefit Bermuda.”

BHB CEO & President Scott Pearman agreed.

“Efforts like this strengthen our community partnerships and ultimately benefit Bermuda as a whole,” he said. “We are proud to work alongside the BPSU for the Mental Health Expo.”

The Expo will offer various interactive booths, providing resources and support to address workplace and community mental health challenges. The collaboration between BPSU and BHB ensures an even more comprehensive and impactful event for the community.

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10 October 2024 Home Page, News

BHB to host Mental Health Awareness Fair

Sunday 6 October 2024: Bermuda Hospitals Board will host a mental health awareness fair on Thursday 10 October 2024 to celebrate World Mental Health Day. The free public event will take place on the grounds of City Hall in Hamilton. Health Minister Kim Wilson will lead the opening ceremony at 11:45am.

The theme for mental health awareness this year is ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health.’

Fair attendees will enjoy fun activities many based on the movement theme. They will also be able to access mental health information from our Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute team members and from community agencies.

“We are pleased to see that the emphasis is growing in our community of the importance in caring for our mental wellness just as we care for our physical bodies,” said BHB Acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Psychiatry Dr Anna Neilson Williams. “Our teams both at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute and in the community are dedicated to assisting those with mental illness and those with mental health challenges, to live as independently as they can, through various treatment therapies and support.

“Every one of us has mental health and should do all they can to safeguard it,” she said. “We are working hard to rid our community of any stigma about mental illness. This will pave the way for all of us to be comfortable sharing how we feel with friends and family and to have no apprehension when we need to seek professional assistance.

‘We invite the entire community to increase their knowledge about mental health and mental illnesses, and our fair provides an easy way to do this.”

The free BHB Mental Health Awareness Fair will be open from 12pm to 4pm.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 Public Events Schedule

6 October 2024 News

Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre open Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August

Wednesday 31 July 2024: The Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre (UCC) will be open its regular weekend hours i.e. 9am-9pm on Saturday 3 August and Sunday 4 August 2024.

The UCC will not be open on Thursday 1 and Friday 2 August.

The management and staff of Bermuda Hospitals Board wishes the public a safe and happy Cup Match holiday weekend. We remind you not to drink and drive, advise you to adhere to the rules of the road, and implore you to manage any disagreement in a non-violent manner.

Clinicians at both the UCC and the KEMH Emergency Department attend to people based on the severity of their condition.

31 July 2024 News