The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A Freeport Container Port company ambulance is on loan as “back up” to the Rand Memorial Hospital, which is facing a shortage of working ambulances in Grand Bahama.

The administrator of the hospital, Sharon Williams, said they now have three operating ambulances on call.

Over the weekend, three ambulances were out of service due to maintenance issues, leaving the hospital with only one operating ambulance for emergency transport.

On Tuesday, The Tribune learned that a second

ambulance was repaired and put back in service.

“We are working on getting additional ones repaired, but have three ambulances available to us, including the availability of one from one of our partner companies,” Ms Williams said yesterday.

She said that an order has been put in for additional ambulances for Grand Bahama.

Ms Williams said on Monday that there have been mechanical challenges due to extensive use and age of the EMS vehicles.

“We are attempting to rectify (the problems) because we are cognisant that it is critical that we have sufficient ambulances operational to be able to service the public,” she said.

The Public Hospital’s Authority (PHA) is responsible for purchasing new ambulances. The Rand Memorial Hospital has four ambulances to service the island of Grand Bahama.

Yesterday, in New Providence, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force handed over an ambulance to the Public Hospital’s Authority that will be sent to Grand Bahama.

PHA Managing Director Herbert Brown said more ambulances are on the way.

“There will be a total of 29 ambulances purchased by the National Insurance Board (in preparation for National Health Insurance) and it is our understanding that six of them will go to Grand Bahama and one of them would be stationed at the Eight Mile Rock Clinic where we have extended the hours now up until 9 o’clock at night,” he said. “We are already getting a lot of commendation for extending those hours.”