UHWI warns of delays at its accident and emergency department

The University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) is advising members of the public to expect delays amid a steady rise in patients seeking emergency care at the facility.

In a media release on Saturday, the hospital said since 2020 there has been a 15 per cent annual increase in the number of patients visiting its Emergency Medical Department.

In 2023 alone, the UHWI attended to 43,272 patients, marking a significant increase from the 37,998 seen in 2022 and the 33,257 in 2020.

It said the surge in patient numbers, particularly those presenting with complications of chronic non-inflammatory diseases, such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, cardiac emergencies, respiratory disorders, including asthma and pneumonia, sepsis and various infectious diseases, has placed an increased strain on its resources.

"We want to reassure the public that while these conditions require immediate and specialised care, we prioritise patient treatment based on the severity of their condition, not on a first-come, first-serve basis," the hospital said.

It added that its triage system ensures that those with the most critical needs are attended to first.

"We understand the anxiety and inconvenience that waiting times can cause and deeply empathise with all our patients and their families. Please be assured that UHWI remains committed to providing optimal and efficient patient care, and we are continuously working to improve our services to meet the growing healthcare needs of our country and the region," the UHWI said.

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