QEH Urges Prompt Collection of Discharged Patients to Ease Bed Pressures

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is urging families and caregivers to make prompt arrangements to collect patients who have been medically cleared and formally discharged, as delays in collection are affecting bed availability for critically ill patients awaiting admission.

A number of patients who are fit for discharge remain in hospital because transportation or family arrangements have not yet been completed. As a result, several beds continue to be occupied by patients who no longer require inpatient care, limiting the hospital’s ability to admit patients from the Accident and Emergency Department who require urgent medical attention.

At the same time, the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department is experiencing increased demand, with a significant number of critically ill patients requiring urgent assessment, treatment and admission. These pressures are contributing to delays in patient flow across some areas of the hospital.

Hospital teams are actively contacting families and caregivers to support safe and timely discharge arrangements and restore bed availability for patients in urgent need of care.

Important Information for the Public

• Patients with critical and life-threatening conditions will continue to receive immediate care.

• Patients with less urgent conditions may experience longer waiting times due to the current demand for emergency and inpatient services.

• Persons who are unsure whether their condition requires a visit to the Accident and Emergency Department are encouraged to contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS/Help Desk) at 536-4800.

• The PALS/Help Desk is available by regular or WhatsApp call from 8:00 a.m. to midnight and provides guidance on the most appropriate next steps for care.

• For non-emergency medical concerns, members of the public are encouraged to seek care at the Winston Scott Polyclinic 24-Hour Clinic or consult their private physician where available.

• Families and caregivers are strongly encouraged to collect discharged patients as early as possible once discharge is confirmed.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital apologises for any inconvenience and thanks the public for its patience, understanding and cooperation as the hospital continues to manage current service demands.