SIR LESTER BIRD MOUNT ST. JOHN'S MEDICAL CENTRE

St. John’s, Antigua, September 3, 2017 - Officials at Mount St. John’s Medical Centre (MSJMC) will activate Phase 3 of its Hurricane Management Plan starting today in response to threats associated with Hurricane Irma. All outpatient clinic services, non-urgent admissions and elective surgeries have been cancelled. All affected patients will be contacted by an MSJMC representative within the next 48-hours to reschedule appointments.

"It is customary for the hospital to operate at a state of readiness so families can rest assured that all patients will continue to get the care they need,” said Dr. Albert Duncan, MSJMC Medical Director. “If that means surgery, we can do that; the hospital has enough clinical and non-clinical supplies to ride out the storm and its aftermath."

The hospital has already begun matching staff with patient needs, making sure to have at least one consultant of each specialty and two house-officers on site. Access to the hospital’s Emergency Room during and immediately after the storm will be the last door on the right.

“Continuity of care is very important to us, and as such, we have ensured that all of the essential areas and services will be manned on a 24-hour basis,” said Gary Thomas, Director of Administration (with responsibility for Disaster Management) at MSJMC.

“Inpatient services will continue. Our Emergency Room will also remain open as usual but we’re asking persons not to risk going out in the storm and coming to the hospital if it’s not an absolute emergency.”

The hospital's usual visiting hours (10:30 am - 9:00 pm) will remain in place on September 4th (Monday). However, the public will be informed of any changes based on time of expected landfall.