Only emergency cases at Cornwall Regional Hospital as noxious fumes continue

The Cornwall Regional Hospital says it is only accepting emergency cases because a ventilation problem at the facility has not yet been satisfactorily resolved.

Emergency cases refer to those that would get a red or yellow card under the triage system of prioritizing. 

The hospital says some urgent cases will be seen at the Mt Salem Health Centre and non-urgent cases are to visit their nearest health centre.

A problem of noxious fumes began affecting the first, second and third floors of the 10-storey hospital  building last Thursday.

Authorities had reported that the problem had been resolved.

However, in a statement this evening, the hospital said it has turned out that the problem remains.

The management has therefore decided that the hospital will continue accept emergencies only.

The hospital says engineers from the Ministry of Health and the Western Regional Health Authority are being assisted by independent experts working round the clock to solve the problem.

With the exception of renal dialysis, radiotherapy, ante natal, urology and psychiatry, all other outpatient clinics have been suspended at Cornwall Regional; patients affected are being advised to attend their nearest health centre or the Mt Salem Health Centre located on the hospital compound.

All diagnostic services such as X-ray and Laboratory, are closed to outpatients at this time, however, blood donor services are being offered at the newly-built infection control centre, located in the lower car park.

Pharmacy service on the second floor for outpatients has also been affected and may be accessed at the Mt Salem Health Centre.