BHB maximises space to cope with potential COVID-19 surge

Thursday 23 April 2020: Bermuda Hospitals Board is continuing to increase clinical space in case there is a potential surge in COVID-19 cases.

Along with the additional negative pressure rooms in the Acute Care Wing (ACW), and an overflow Intensive Care Unit being opened in the surgical area of the ACW, this week, additional acute space has been completed in the old surgical area of the General Wing, and BHB is maximising all the buildings on its campus as potential swing space The goal is to increase the total acute care bed stock to about 200, up from the usual figure of 120.

To prepare the swing space, construction work was approved to continue by the Minister of National Security, in line with Shelter in Place Regulations, at Montrose Cottage at KEMH, and Hibiscus Cottage and Fairview Court at MWI, to ensure the additional space was ready for people to work in if needed.

Chief Operating Officer R. Scott Pearman comments: “A big thanks goes to our Facilities and Estates Department and our contractors, who have worked extremely hard to prepare additional clinical space in the hospital and swing space options outside the hospital building where non-acute, support or administrative services can temporarily relocate if needed. We will do everything we can to make sure we have the capacity to care for people with serious complications of covid-19, although our hope is that people abide by the shelter in place restrictions, and keep washing their hands, not touching their faces, and wearing masks when outside, as this will give us the best chance at being able to cope with all those who may need hospital care during this time.”

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