Hospital Capacity Under Pressure

Medical Director at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, Dr. Shivon Belle Jarvis, says elderly patients are remaining in hospital longer than medically necessary, significantly reducing bed availability and straining the facility’s capacity.

These patients, described as “social cases,” no longer require acute medical care but remain hospitalized due to limited family support or the lack of suitable placement. At times, as many as 17 social cases have occupied hospital beds, particularly during holidays such as Christmas, summer, and long weekends.