Continued Patient Surge in the Accident & Emergency Department

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) advises the public that the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) continues to experience a surge in patient presentations. This is being driven by an increase in respiratory illnesses, particularly influenza, a continued rise in patients presenting with injuries from motor vehicle accidents, and a post-holiday increase in patients presenting with complications related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

This sustained surge has resulted in longer waiting times and may affect the number of new patients that can be seen at any given time.

Please note:

• Life-threatening conditions will continue to receive immediate care in keeping with the AED triage system.
• Patients with less urgent conditions should expect extended waiting times.

Patient Advice and Guidance

If you are feeling unwell and are unsure whether to attend the AED, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS/Help Desk) at 536-4800:

• Available via regular or WhatsApp calls.
• The QEH is actively working to extend the hours of this service to better support members of the public.
• The team will provide an initial assessment and advise on the most appropriate next steps for care.

Alternative Care Options

To help reduce pressure on the AED, the public is encouraged to consider:

• The 24-Hour Clinic at Winston Scott Polyclinic (Jemmotts Lane, St. Michael).
• Your private physician, if available.

Public Health Advisory

Members of the public visiting the QEH for treatment are strongly encouraged to wear a mask, particularly when entering clinical areas. This helps protect patients, visitors, and staff during the current increase in respiratory illnesses.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital apologizes for any inconvenience and thanks the public for its patience and understanding as we continue to manage this sustained increase in demand for emergency care.