NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Duane Sands forecasted the significant projects to be undertaken in the year to come at the Princess Margaret Hospital during the Annual Visit of the Governor General, Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling to the hospital on Monday.

Dr. Sands explained that these works include the much-anticipated Accident and Emergency, Urgent Care Project, which was launched in August 2018. 

“This complex multi-million dollar undertaking will result in enhancements to the PMH Emergency Waiting Room, Triage, Asthma Bay and treatment rooms here at the hospital.  The project also includes upgrading the Elizabeth Estates Clinic and South Beach Clinic to Urgent Care Centres for Emergency Triage Levels 3, 4 and 5.”

The Health Minister said he believes that few in the public realize the phenomenal work the doctors and nurses perform in PMH’s Accident and Emergency Department seeing between 55,000 to 60,000 patients every year with many of them critically ill.

“As amazing as the Emergency Department’s staff are, and as important as the improvements and renovations the hospital’s emergency room will be, the most significant aspect of this project will be the expansion of emergency care services to Elizabeth Estates and South Beach Clinics.”

He added, “This aspect of the project not only facilitates the enhancement of access to care, but also allows for a reduction in demand for service at the already oversubscribed hospital Emergency Room.”

Dr. Sands noted that early in the New Year significant renovations are expected to be launched in the Children’s Ward South.  He said these improvements will not only enhance the conditions and aesthetics of the clinical areas, but will also include the provision of a hospital room, a tutorial room and a day treatment room.

He said there should also be progress on remedial works to the cafeteria roof, the relocation of the hospital’s business office to the old St. Luke’s Chapel, improvement works to PMH Laundry Department and the renovation of the Doctors Lounge.

In addition, the Health Minister announced that repair work to the PMH Dialysis Department has been prioritized.  “The roof leak in the area is being addressed and further improvement works are expected to commence next year.”