Hospital bed problems to be addressed

The ministry of health says it is moving to address the problem of overcrowding at some of the country’s public maternity facilities.



Yesterday, health minister Rudyard Spencer met with senior health officials from the regional health authorities and the ministry to come up with solutions to address the problem.



A report in The Sunday Gleaner highlighted the severe shortage of beds for expectant mothers at the Victoria Jubilee hospital.



Two mothers were sharing a single bed at the facility.



Mr. Spencer has condemned the practice of patients sharing a single bed.



He says the situation must be given urgent priority and immediate strategies implemented to correct the problem.



The health minister has instructed that the eastern wing of the fifth floor at the Victoria Jubilee be open within the next six months.



The minister says medium term measures to address the problem will include the training of midwives for placement in public hospitals.



He says the ministry is also looking at re-examination of home delivery services as well as encouraging expectants mothers to use the facilities, closest to their houses.



He says the ministry will be focusing on improving areas such as early discharge policy and the undertaking of more efficient ward rounds.



The ministry also plans to explore the possibility of utilizing the St. Joseph’s hospital for maternity services.