The Hon. Jeanne Atherden, CA, CPA, JP, MP regarding bed capacity at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital: as Minister of Health and Seniors, I am aware that there are currently not enough beds available at King Edward Memorial Hospital.

I implore you to follow the advice of BHB's CEO Venetta Symonds.

• If you have a non-emergency illness, please see a general practitioner or visit the Urgent Care Centre rather than going to the emergency room.
• If you are collecting a loved one who has been discharged, please be on time.
• If you are an Administrator of a rest home, I ask that you work with KEMH to discharge patients back to the residence, even after hours, so the hospital beds can be available for patients who need acute care. The hospital is not a rest home.

My Ministry is working on solutions to long term care because in this crisis there are clearly not enough beds in the community for long term care patients. This was one of our Throne Speech initiatives.

I ask that we show our true Bermudian spirit in this crisis, and come together with fortitude, patience and generosity, and make adjustments under the circumstances.

Our team is looking at possibilities right now, and we ask for your continued understanding as we work through this situation. BHB's team is doing all it can to take care of everyone safely. Please do your part to help.