Overcrowding concerns within the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) continue at the Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital, says Head of the AED Dr Bernadette Joseph-Labadie.
The situation has now forced the implementation of new measures, including accelerating the construction of a new wing, and recommissioning the secondary care hospital and creating additional capacity at the National Mental Wellness Centre so they can both take admitted patients.
On December 30, 2025, OKEU Hospital, which is part of the Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC), issued an advisory to the public, highlighting an increase in patients visiting the facility for medical assistance. The advisory noted that OKEU’s wards had reached capacity, and cited overcrowding and extended waiting times within the AED. It also advised individuals with “minor health-related conditions” to seek medical assistance at available polyclinics.
However, Dr Labadie told St Lucia Times that the issue persists. Although the number of visitors to OKEU’s AED fluctuates, as recently as last weekend, an increased number of patients were showing up at the facility.
“Tuesday was another really bad day for us. We started with 53 admissions in the ER, so a lot of overcrowding issues,” said Dr Labadie.
“What I can say is that a lot of the cases coming in are people who are really, really sick, and this is why our admissions went up so much. So we have a lot of very sick patients coming in, and they require admission, and we do not have enough beds to put everybody. So, with the hospital at capacity—which is what happened from the weekend—the numbers have been increasing,” she added.
According to Dr Labadie, while a ward can accommodate about 21 patients, the increased foot traffic into the emergency room causes a significant strain.
“The ER having 53 admissions is like having two wards in the ER, and these are just admitted cases that are no longer under the care of emergency admin, so they really should be on a ward. That, plus all the other emergency cases that are coming in that need to be attended to—that’s what the situation has been like.”
Dr Labadie shared that discussions are underway to find solutions. One option being considered is to have the secondary care hospital house patients. The secondary care hospital would be the Dr Winston C. Parris Medical Complex, formerly known as the Victoria Hospital.
Use of the medical complex for secondary care was previously stopped due to the threat of monkeypox, Dr Labadie shared.
“We’re trying to see how we can get patients back there,” she added.
However, the AED manager noted that staffing is another concern: “We’re pressed for staff here, but we would need to send staff over there.”
OKEU Hospital said in a statement on Wednesday that in response to the ongoing overcrowding, several strategic measures have been implemented to improve patient management and enhance the overall healthcare experience.
These include accelerating the construction of a fifth wing at the hospital to increase long-term capacity; recommissioning the secondary care hospital to create space for an additional 12 admitted patients; creating additional capacity at the National Mental Wellness Centre by accommodating 25 more admitted patients; facilitating early but safe discharges to improve bed availability and reduce congestion; providing timely information to the public regarding the status of the AED; and continuous monitoring of patient flow, ensuring that patient movement within the AED and wards is closely tracked to optimise space and resources.
“In addition to these measures, Millennium Heights Medical Complex urges the public to utilise alternative healthcare options for non-urgent medical needs,” the hospital management said. “These include polyclinics with extended operating hours, wellness centres, and private physicians. This will help reduce pressure on the Accident and Emergency Department and allow staff to focus on patients requiring urgent and emergency care.”
Persons are advised to contact the Urgent Care Units at the following healthcare facilities for minor health-related conditions:
Dr. Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic: 468-8880
Gros Islet Polyclinic: 468-7637 | 468-7630 | 723-0663
Dennery Hospital: 468-7650 | 468-7651 | 468-7657
Soufriere Hospital: 468-7601 | 468-7603 | 485-8681
