QEH Working to Restore Surgical Capacity While Maintaining Oncology Care

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) apologises to patients and families for delays to surgical procedures and the disruption caused by the temporary relocation of Oncology Outpatients.

Management has made addressing these challenges a priority, with clinical and support teams working to restore capacity while maintaining patient safety.

Surgical Services

• Emergency and urgent surgeries continue. Non-urgent procedures have been affected by increased demand for critical care, limited operating and recovery space, inpatient bed constraints and nursing shortages.
• QEH is exploring options to increase minor and day-case procedures for patients who do not require an overnight hospital stay.
• Air quality concerns have resulted in temporary ward closures and relocations, reducing inpatient capacity by 46 beds. Some capacity could return as early as next week, subject to remediation and safety clearance.
• The Hospital is working with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to facilitate the safe transfer of medically stable patients to appropriate care settings, and is pursuing additional nursing recruitment.

Oncology Services

• Oncology treatments have continued throughout the temporary relocation using contingency arrangements.
• The Linear Accelerator treatment area remains unaffected, and treatment services continue.
• A further air quality assessment is scheduled for Wednesday, 28 October. Its findings, together with the pending Environmental Health report, will inform decisions on safe reoccupation.
• Additional contingency arrangements are being developed should the relocation need to continue.

A Message from the CEO

“Our patients and families need to know that we understand their concerns and are acting on them every day. Our clinical teams want to deliver more care, and our immediate focus is to provide the safe space, staffing and beds they need to do so. Oncology treatments have continued, and we are working to restore wider surgical activity as quickly and safely as possible.”

— Neil Clark, Chief Executive Officer, QEH

Contact and Support

Patients affected by changes to their care will be contacted by their clinical teams.

Patients and families seeking information or assistance may contact the Patient Advice & Liaison Service, part of the Patient Relations Department, on 1 (246) 536-4800.

QEH thanks patients and families for their patience and understanding as work continues to restore services and minimise disruption.