QEH’s Director of Medical Services, Dr. Clyde Cave.
THE public is being told to first contact the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s (QEH) Help Desk when they decide to go to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.
Director of Medical Services, Dr. Clyde Cave, stated this as he spoke in a post on the QEH’s social media page. He said this new requirement is part of the hospital’s present mode of operation in the COVID-19 environment.
He further explained, “That facility is staffed by physicians and nurses who can guide you and provide first-aid. You reach them by calling 536-4800 and then follow their directions.”
He added, “On arrival at the Accident and Emergency Department, the first point of contact will be what we call triage. At that point, your temperature will be taken and a list of questions asked. On this basis, it will then be determined whether there is a potential for an infectious disease or whether you can be cared for along another pathway. If we have any concern at all about an infection, you will be looked after in an area where we minimise spread.”
Dr. Cave said while individuals wait in the A&E Department in the isolation area, the hospital will ensure that their medical needs are all addressed. He however said during this time, persons “may have a COVID swab and while we await those results, we acknowledge that our facility was not designed for long-term isolation. We realise that there has been unacceptable delays and we have worked with our other partners in finding a new system that will expedite testing and therefore shorten the delay of patients waiting for results in our Accident and Emergency Department. Once we have those results, patients will then be transferred to the isolation centre if there is a need because there is a COVID infection, or be admitted to the general hospital which we are making every effort to keep COVID free." (MG)