#TurksandCaicos, September 6, 2017 – Providenciales – “The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan will be formally activated, effective September 6th, 2017 in expectation of Hurricane Irma.
The Outpatient Department and other clinics at both medical centers will be closed as of 1:00pm on Wednesday until further notice. Appointments including elective surgeries will be rescheduled.
Emergency Departments at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre on Providenciales and the Cockburn Town Medical Centre on Grand Turk will remain open 24 hours. Essential hospital staff will remain onsite until the passage of the storm. Non-essential staff members will be temporarily relieved of duty.
Antenatal patients, 36 weeks and above, are advised to relocate to the hospital for safety. Elderly persons and support staff from the Grand Turk Wellness Centre will be relocated to Cockburn Town Medical Centre.
Other high-risk patients will be determined by medical staff and contacted accordingly. Dialysis and Oncology patients at both hospital sites will be advised of changes in their scheduled treatment plans to ensure minimal disruption.
TCI Hospital is liaising with the Government’s National Blood Bank to obtain additional blood units as a precautionary measure. Both medical centers are equipped with adequate essential supplies, medication, water, food, medical gas and fuel for backup generators in the event of an electricity outage.
Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and Cockburn Town Medical Centre are structurally engineered to withstand a Category 5 Hurricane. The Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital maintains an updated and effective Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan to address internal and external emergencies and disaster situations.
TCI Hospital will continue to monitor Hurricane Irma in collaboration with Disaster Management stakeholders. A bulletin will be issued regarding the resumption of normal services once the all clear is given.
Patients are reminded to visit the nearest community pharmacy to obtain an adequate supply of prescription refills. Medications should be stored in an accessible, dry location. Ensure all personal hurricane preparedness plans are up-to-date, avoid flood prone areas, and remain indoors until the all clear is given.”
