Flu season overwhelms children's hospital

Bustamante Hospital for Children has seen a marked increase in the number of patients coming in for flu and other ailments associated with this time of year, leaving the health facility overwhelmed.

As a result there have been several complaints about the long wait time at the hospital in recent weeks.

Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, speaking Tuesday on RJR’s Beyond the Headlines, acknowledged the problem and explained that it has been building since the end of the summer.

He revealed that the hospital is admitting about 41 patients per day on average and that 973 were admitted during the month of November.

Dr. Tufton said arrangements were made this week for some patients to be taken to the University Hospital of the West Indies.

He said there are also plans to get more beds for the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

More doctors

Dr Michelle-Ann Richards-Dawson, Senior Medical officer at Bustamante Hospital, also admitted that the facility needs more doctors.

She said the hospital is currently seeking to fill six vacancies in the Accident and Emergency Department, not rely on part-time “sessional” staff to fill the gaps.