Every single bed in the hospital’s emergency department and the new acute care wing is full, Bermuda Hospitals Board CEO Venetta Symonds announced yesterday afternoon.

Ms Symonds said that the BHB was managing the situation “as best as we can”, but acknowledged that from an internal operational standpoint the hospital was dealing with a “crisis”.

“There are no patient beds right now at the hospital,” she said.

“That means, if you need acute care in the community of course you are going to come to BHB, but right now every single bed in our emerge ncy department and our new acute care wing is completely full.

“First of all, if you are an outpatient and looking to have a surgical procedure in the next week or so, you might get a call saying that your surgical procedure has been postponed.”

Meanwhile, Jeanne Atherden, the Minister of Health, said that her ministry was “working on solutions to long-term care”.

“If you have a non-emergency illness, please see a general practitioner or visit the urgent care centre rather than going to the emergency room,” she said.

“If you are collecting a loved one who has been discharged, please be on time.

“If you are an administrator of a rest home, I ask that you work with the hospital to discharge patients back to the residence, even after hours, so the hospital beds can be available for patients who need acute care. The hospital is not a rest home.”

Ms Atherden added: “My ministry is working on solutions to long-term care because in this crisis there are clearly not enough beds in the community for long-term-care patients.

“I ask that we show our true Bermudian spirit in this crisis, and come together with fortitude, patience and generosity, and make adjustments under the circumstances.

“Our team is looking at possibilities right now, and we ask for your continued understanding as we work through this situation. BHB’s team is doing all it can to take care of everyone safely. Please do your part to help.”

Stating that “every single bed matters right now”, Ms Symonds added: “We all need to work together to make sure our hospital can accommodate you.

“We have been experiencing increases in capacity in the last couple of months. There are a lot of respiratory illnesses right now, but there are a multitude of factors making it difficult for BHB to empty beds.

“Be assured that we are working with Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to manage the medium and long-term needs for Bermuda, but right now in this immediate situation I would go so far as to say operationally, internally to BHB, it is a crisis.

“In order for us to deliver the very best of care to you and your loved ones when you are acutely ill, we definitely need your support. Go to your doctor first or use our urgent care centre and remember, when we are discharging, come and pick up your loved ones and if you do have delayed care, call your doctor and insurer to find out what your options are.”