The Owen King EU Hospital (OKH) of the Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) is issuing a public advisory in response to overcrowding and the resulting increased waiting times being experienced in the Accident and Emergency Department (AED).

Over the past twelve months there has been a steady increase in patients with serious illnesses requiring admission to the hospital creating a severe shortage of inpatient beds. There are more than 50 admitted patients in the department currently.

All the existing wards at the hospital are at full capacity and patients requiring admission must now be managed within the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) for extended periods before they can be transferred to a ward.

This has resulted in extended waiting times for non-urgent care, of more than 4 to 6 hours. As such, the overcrowding is placing a severe strain on the AED’s capacity to meet patient’s demands in a timely manner.

The management and staff are responding to this surge. Members of the public are therefore advised that if their medical complaint is neither serious nor life-threatening, they should seek options for care other than the Accident and Emergency Department where they can receive the appropriate treatment. Patients are further advised to utilize the services of the following polyclinics: Gros Islet Polyclinic and the Dr. Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic (located at the former Victoria Hospital) and health centres in close proximity to their homes.

All patients with life-threatening conditions who present to the AED will continue to be seen and treated immediately and patients with serious conditions will also be treated as high priority. Other patients who present to AED at this time will experience extended waiting times until this overcrowding situation is rectified. We will continue to keep the public updated of developments in the Accident and Emergency Department.

The management and staff sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to the public but assures the public that we are working tirelessly to reduce the overcrowding and extended waiting times to better serve the public in Accident and Emergency Department (AED).

Minor health-related conditions can be effectively managed at the Urgent Care Units at the following healthcare facilities:

• Dr. Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic: 468-8880
• Gros Islet Polyclinic: 468-7637 | 468-7630 | 723-0663
• Dennery Hospital: 468-7650 | 468-7651 | 468-7657
• Soufriere Hospital: 468-7601 | 468-7603 | 485-8681