The CWM Emergency Ward does not have a bed shortage issue but they are facing a space shortage.
Minister of Health Rosy Akbar confirmed this when Fijivillage questioned her about the concerns raised regarding a shortage of beds at the Emergency Ward.
A member of the public approached us earlier with a request for the Ministry of Health to look into this matter as his grandmother was not able to get a bed for almost 5 hours in the emergency department last month.
She had internal bleeding and needed to be admitted.
Minister Rosy Akbar says the real issue is shortage of space and they are planning to extend the hospital.
The Ministry of Health had earlier said that individual patient cases cannot be discussed, however the Ministry wants members of the public to know that patients or family members who have grievances can lodge their complaints on the Health Customer Care Centre hotline on 157.
The Ministry says the emergency department staff work hard to ensure patients are sent home or admitted as quickly as possible but it is not unusual for patients to spend some time in the emergency department itself.
It says CWM Hospital, like all major hospitals, faces periods of peak demand for inpatient beds and at those times it may be necessary for staff to spend some time locating an empty bed, or making arrangements to free up space for patients with urgent needs.
The Ministry says on average the occupancy level at CWM Hospital is between 85% and 90%, which is in line with that of other similar hospitals overseas.
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