NASSAU, BAHAMAS – While the 25 beds gifted to the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) by the PMH Foundation on Thursday is a start to eliminating old beds and decreasing the existing bed shortage, at least 200 more are needed, said Lyrone Burrows, Deputy Managing Director at the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA).
At yesterday’s official bed donation ceremony at the critical care block at PMH, Burrows said while the beds are a welcome addition, the hospital is currently 200 beds short.
He is, therefore, asking the public to only visit the hospital if there is an emergency.
According to Burrows, Bahamians have become too accustomed to going to the Accident and Emergency department of PMH which clogs the system.
“So we want the public to go to other locations and take the pressure off A and E, which will take the pressure off other areas. We are also looking at taking some services outside the hospital which will free up additional space as well,” Burrows said.
Meanwhile, the new beds donated yesterday will be primarily used in the female medical ward.
“The 25 new beds have been distributed as follows: 23 to Female Medical Ward one, one to the Gynae ward and one to the Maternity Ward Staff Suite. We are also turning some of our people health clinics into urgent care centres,” Burrows said.
PMH Foundation Chairman, Richard Demeritte said the donation of the 25 adult beds reflects a direct donation value of over $90,000.
“It is our mission to continue our pledge and provide meaningful gifts such as this. This donation today translates comfort in care to hundreds of family and friends in our community who receive care in this community who receive care in this hospital daily,” Demeritte said.
