PRINCESS Margaret Hospital has suspended all elective surgeries and only emergency cases are being allowed in response to an influx of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.

In a press statement yesterday, the Public Hospitals Authority said the measures were implemented to manage PMH’s already strained services as a result of the surge in virus cases.

Ministry of Health officials said there were 95 new cases Tuesday and 92 people are in the hospital receiving treatment with COVID-19 related illnesses.

The statement said: “Hospital administration at the Princess Margaret Hospital today announced the implementation of measures to manage the institution’s already strained services as a result of a surge in COVID-19 cases presenting at the Emergency Department.

“The new measures are designed to reduce the spread of the virus among patients and staff, and to account for an increase in the number of persons having to be admitted, the overwhelming majority of whom are unvaccinated.

“The public is advised that effective immediately the Emergency Department is only accepting emergency cases. In the event of a medical emergency please call National Emergency Medical Services dispatchers at 919 or contact the PMH Emergency Department at 326-7014. Persons in need of care for non-medical emergencies should visit their doctor’s office or community.”

The statement said “all elective surgeries have been suspended” as well as out-patient lab services.

Officials said in-person appointments at specialty clinics and other out-patient services have been suspended with the exception of: emergency maternity cases; oncology services by appointment only; dialysis services, by appointment only; obstetrics high risk clinic, by appointment; radiology & diagnostic services, by appointment or emergency cases only; orthopedic services – fracture and hand by appointment or emergency cases only; out-patient rehabilitation services, by appointment only; PMH Blood Bank, by appointment only or off-site blood drive.

Emergency out-patient laboratory services will resume at Agape Clinic on Monday, July 26, 2021.

There is also an urgent appeal for all blood types as there is a critical shortage at this time. To donate blood, email the PMH Blood Bank at pmhbloodbank@gmail.com to register for an appointment or call 502-7822 or 322-8077.

PMH also said specialty clinics will operate virtually by appointment only, allowing for consultations. Patients needing to reschedule in-person clinic appointments should contact the PMH appointment scheduling unit. E-mail a copy of the referral to appointments@pmh.phabahamas.org, or send a clear photo of the referral form to 808-9972 via WhatsApp or SMS. Telephone calls will not be answered.

PMH Agape Clinic (Family Medicine Clinic) at 4th Terrace will operate at reduced hours from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday, mainly by appointment. Limited walk-in patients will be accommodated.

The Eye Care Centre on Soldier Road will operate from 8am to 4pm.

The PMH prescription refill programme allows prescriptions that are submitted via the refill programme to be collected directly from the hospital’s front desk once confirmation of prescription is received from the pharmacy.

Persons requiring prescription refills for chronic medications should send a message with the Rx number and the MRN (which can be found on the medication label) to 424-3642 via WhatsApp. Do not submit a photo of the prescription label.

To donate blood, please email the PMH Blood Bank at pmhbloodbank@gmail.com to register for an appointment or call 502-7822 or 322-8077.

PHA reminded the public that patient visitation remains suspended. Intensive Care (ICU) and Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) visitation will take place on a case-by-case basis as determined by clinicians.

PMH has implemented a drop off system for patients. Items may be dropped off at the main entrance of the hospital daily from noon to 1pm and from 6pm to 8pm. All items must be packaged in a secure bag, clearly labeled with the patient’s name, and designated ward. Only one bag per patient is allowed per drop off. Items dropped off must comply with the hospital’s policies regarding items permitted in the hospital.