The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH Minister Dr Perry Gomez yesterday confirmed that the opening of the new Critical Care Block at the Princess Margaret Hospital has been delayed.

In August, officials said the $55 million, 66,000 square foot facility was 90 per cent complete. The facility was expected to be turned over to the government in October and opened shortly after.

However, Dr Gomez said Bahamians will have to wait another four months before they are to see the Critical Care Block in full operation.

“The Critical Care Block,” he said, “is probably not going to be open until around Easter time (April). It still needs a lot of time to get the place fully equipped and furnished. And then we’ll be staffed. But there is staff in the pipelines.”

The government has said the block will improve access to critical care beds for adults and infants, and reduce waiting times for surgery. Other benefits include better surgical results and the quality of care through the use of modern medical and information technology. An enhanced diagnostic capacity and improved administrative offices are also expected.

However, sources within the hospital are not optimistic that the facility will result in any improvements as once it opens the same number of operating theatres will be used.

Last month physicians at PMH told The Tribune they were worried that the new block would do very little in meeting the hospital’s needs as only three of the six new theatres can be used. The official opening was expected in October.

Surgeons at PMH were told that the three existing theatres, which have been operating for decades, are to be closed down and sterilised. However, there are fears that this will not happen.

Also, no space has been allocated for the accident and emergency unit, which handles a high volume of patients each day, as administrative offices will occupy most of the area, one doctor said.

The project began in November 2011. It houses 20 private ICU rooms, 18 recovery beds, a central sterile department, new lab facilities, administrative facilities and a new main entrance, which is disability friendly.

Thirty-three nurses, accredited by the Royal College of Nursing in the United Kingdom in critical care are expected to work in the new block.