UHWI urges public to seek alternative care as emergency services overwhelmed

Jamaica’s primary regional referral facility, the 579-bed University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), is urging the public to seek alternative care as a massive patient influx has overwhelmed its emergency services.

The hospital, in a release on Wednesday, advised the public that it is “currently experiencing patient volumes beyond its normal capacity”.

The hospital cautioned that patients presenting to the St Andrew based institution “should expect longer than usual waiting times, particularly those with conditions assessed as less urgent. Patients will continue to be prioritised based on the severity of their condition, with the most critically ill receiving immediate attention.”