Public Advisory: Post-Crop Over Surge in Accident & Emergency Department

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is advising the public that the Accident & Emergency Department (AED) is currently experiencing a significant increase in patient presentations following the Crop Over period.

The Department is seeing a surge in patients presenting with complications associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as well as respiratory tract infections. A number of these patients require urgent medical assessment and intervention, placing increased pressure on emergency services.

As a result, patients presenting with non-life-threatening conditions may experience longer-than-usual waiting times as our clinical teams continue to prioritise patients requiring urgent and life-saving care in accordance with the Hospital’s triage system, which assesses patients based on the severity and urgency of their condition rather than the order in which they arrive.

Members of the public who require medical advice or whose condition is not life-threatening are encouraged to consider the following options:

• Contact the QEH Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at 536-4800, available daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m, for guidance on the most appropriate care.
• Visit your nearest polyclinic during its operating hours
• Or visit the 24-hour clinic at Winston Scott Polyclinic at Jemmotts Lane, St. Michael.
• Consult your private healthcare provider for advice and treatment, where appropriate.

Patients experiencing life-threatening or critical conditions should continue to seek emergency care and will be prioritised under the AED’s triage system.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital encourages members of the public, particularly persons living with NCDs or experiencing respiratory symptoms, to pay close attention to their health, take prescribed medications as directed, and seek appropriate medical advice if their condition worsens.

The QEH thanks the public for its patience, understanding, and cooperation as our dedicated healthcare teams continue to provide safe, timely, and compassionate care to those who need it most.