To:                    All Media

Date:                August 30th, 2021

Re:                   Operational Changes – Outpatient Clinic and Elective Surgeries

Castries, Saint Lucia (August 30^th) The Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) continues to keep the health and safety of its patients and the community which it serves as its top priority.  Over the last few weeks, there has been an increase in the number of active and diagnosed COVID-19 cases on the island, as part of the National response and recognizing its own duty of care as a healthcare provider, the institution has made changes to the operations of a few of its services to assist with the fight against COVID-19.

MHMC’s clinical team has continued to provide support and assistance to the Respiratory Hospital team to adequately provide care to patients at the facility.  With the increase in cases, it is necessary to provide additional support and to ensure this is done safely, the complex must scale down some of its operations to allow for the redirection of the necessary clinical human resources.  

Effective Wednesday September 1^st, 2021:

• Elective surgeries will be suspended for the period September 1^st to September 19^th, 2021.  Patients with surgery dates within that period will be contacted by MHMC Patient Services team to reschedule.
• All Outpatient Clinics scheduled for the same period will also be suspended.  The Patient Services team will also contact patients with appointments to reschedule.

The decision to suspend these services was taken in the interest of the National effort required, the team recognizes the inconvenience which this will cause to our patients and therefore will make every effort to resume these services to ensure affected patients are accommodated urgently. 

MHMC’s commitment remains to ensure that the community which we serve is supported during this time, it is imperative that we all put our efforts together in curbing the upward trend in cases.

We urge everyone to follow the protocols:

1. Hands  Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use sanitizer
2. FACE    Wear your mask properly, covering your nose and mouth, avoid touching your face
3. FEET      Social distance, stay more than 6 feet apart, avoid gatherings
4. FEEL SICK  Stay at home except to get medical care.