The Georgetown Public Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E) has successfully reduced patient waiting times, while experiencing a rise in patient referrals in 2023. Dr. Zulfikar Bux, Head of A&E, reported at the hospital’s year-end press conference that the current average waiting time is 1 hour 4 minutes, a significant improvement from the previous 2 hours 30 minutes.
“Our average waiting time is 1 hour 4 minutes. This is unrivalled in the Caribbean and even North America and the developed world, for a level one trauma centre to have such a response time its incomparable,” Dr Bux stated.
Admissions from the department have increased by 20% compared to the last three years, with 12,849 admissions noted up to November 2023. The A&E unit, staffed 24/7 with specialist nurses and doctors, is the emergency hub for complex cases beyond the capability of other hospitals.
“Our patient numbers have increased drastically. We’ve seen more than 50 thousand patients in 2023 if you compare from 2020 to now, that’s a 40 percent increase in patient load. So, 40 percent in patient-load and still managed to decrease waiting times. Referral from hospitals have increased. There has been [a] 38 percent increase in referrals from hospitals throughout the country. We currently seen 6,785 referrals from hospitals throughout the country,” Dr. Bux added.
Dr. Bux also attributes these improvements to the exceptional performance of the A&E staff. The department has also been pivotal in responding to national emergencies, such as the Mahdia Fire and the GDF helicopter crash. Additionally, it plays a vital role in medical coverage and emergency management during significant events like conferences and state visits.
Looking forward, Dr. Bux mentioned plans to collaborate with partners for staff training in patient experience, enhancing patient care further. (Modified from DPI)
