Patients have been treated in hospital corridors because of leaks in the ceiling and the sporadic functioning of a heart monitoring system.

Two weeks ago, the Mid Ocean News reported that Emergency Room patients at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital were being treated in the corridors and makeshift wards.

The article reported that it happened because an overflow ward reserved for the Emergency Room was inundated by patients from other wards.

At the time a Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) spokesperson said that there had been a time of high demand, but no patients were being treated in the corridors.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome denied the report in the House of Assembly saying the entire emergency area would be utilised. This would not include the public waiting area.

But this week when asked for an update, a BHB spokesperson confirmed patients were being treated in the corridors last week because of leaks, problems with the air conditioning and the cardiac monitoring system.

She said: "We have experienced pressure in our Emergency Department at times and when this has occurred all the Emergency Department has been utilised to ensure that patients are cared for as needed.

"Last week Emergency was affected by issues with air conditioning, our telemetry system and some leaks, which impacted some of our emergency bays.

"This did require us to utilise portable beds outside the bays in Emergency to cope with demand.

"We have fixed the leaks impacting our permanent bays, although there is one minor leak currently in the Sixth South ward connected to Emergency.

"We are presently identifying the exact source as it has been an intermittent problem for an extended period."

The Fourth Floor Offices, ICU, Emergency Dept. and the Blood Donor Clinic were affected by the air conditioning being temporarily out as planned maintenance took place and it is now back in order.

Finally a specialist will be brought in to ensure that the telemetry system or cardiac monitoring programme is functioning adequately for the department.