Changes in Services at Western Regional Hospital

Javier Zuniga

The purpose of the changes is to assist with the surveillance efforts for COVID-19 patients, while preventing contact with persons seeking specialized medical attention.  But Doctor Javier Zuniga advises that only persons who are in need of urgent medical care should access the facility.

Dr. Javier Zuniga, Regional Health Manager, Western Health Region

“We are asking that patients limit or we have limited number of people coming to the hospital so that only if you are ill come to the hospital. Do not bring children and do not bring healthy companions—only if you are sick. If you can come alone, please come alone. That is one of the changes that we want to make. Our visiting hours will only be for one hour now so between eleven a.m. and twelve p.m. And between the hour of five p.m. and six p.m. It is limited to one visitor and also limited to one companion, so one person can be with the patient only if that patient needs assistance. If that patient does not need assistance, then we will not allow a companion in the hospital. There is seating arrangement in the waiting area to respect social distancing. We also have hygienic wash basins around, hand sanitizers all around so we do encourage that people use them while they are in the waiting area. Maternal and child health services, we continue doing appointments primarily so we don’t want people to be walking in. And if you are pregnant, please contact the hospital numbers 828-4512 and we will advise you on how to proceed in terms of services for maternal and child health, but most of it is being done by appointments. In terms of mental health, we continue with mental health services and elective services, we are going to look at it on a case by case basis, so we might have to delay some of those elective services. When it comes to emergencies, emergency surgery, c-sections, deliveries, these continue as per normal.”