Non-emergency patients told to use Dubai’s primary healthcare facilities

Doctors hope to free intensive-care beds at Rashid Hospital's upgraded trauma centre, where up to 60 per cent of the 600 daily cases could be dealt with elsewhere.

Nurses in the trauma wing of Rashid Hospital, where staff say its role as an emergency facility must be respected. Alex Atack for The National
Powered by automated translation

DUBAI // Patients are encouraged to use Dubai’s non-emergency health care facilities for minor conditions rather than descend on Rashid Hospital’s trauma centre — despite a new 159-bed wing opening.

The hospital is now officially the biggest in the country, with the 66 more intensive care beds and 93 more for general surgery taking its capacity to 786.

An estimated 60 per cent of the 600 daily trauma centre cases could be treated elsewhere, doctors said, which would leave more beds for the rising number of car crash victims in need of emergency care.

Dr Haidar Al Yousuf, director of public health funding at Dubai Health Authority, said the extended trauma centre and improved coordination hub should improve efficiency to ensure patients are treated at the right time, in the right place.

“The trauma centre at Rashid Hospital treats about 600 patients every day. In reality, 60 per cent of these cases are not real emergencies,” he said. “They can go to their GP or an urgent care unit and don’t need to be in trauma. It is important we optimise these services to best serve patients.

“We see major traumas like car accidents, for example, and we must focus on those requirements.”

The unit’s second floor is designated for intensive care and includes internal medicine, neurosurgery and general surgery.

The upgrade has meant a 50 per cent increase in intensive care beds at the hospital and it has made the trauma centre one of the most sophisticated facilities of its kind in the region.

The third floor will have capability to admit 93 patients at a time for general surgery, specialised surgery and fractures.

New medical specialisations have also been added to hospital services, including hand, liver and spinal surgery, while new technologies have been added to improve patient care.

Dr Alya Mazrouei, Rashid Hospital’s chief executive, said stabilising patients is vital.

“High-quality technology has been added to smart beds, including CPUs that track the status of the patient,” she said.

“This technology also ensures maintaining the status of the head at 30 degrees for stroke patients, it ensures a straight position for spinal patients and a safe and healthy position, according to their condition.”

Patients classed as T1 and T2 are the most severe emergency cases, and usually end up with a hospital admission.

A T3 is a serious case that can be stabilised in the trauma unit but often requires an admission, whereas a T4 classification is non-serious and could be treated elsewhere.

Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Saif Bin Kalban, chief executive for the hospital services sector, said: “We are seeing a lot of trauma from car accidents, as well as cardiovascular diseases and strokes.

“We are also seeing more complicated cases arrive here from the Northern Emirates and the private health care sector.”

Rashid Hospital is the first DHA facility to accept direct billing for all health insurance policies in Dubai. The authority aimed to have all its facilities in the same situation by the end of the year, which will mean that insured patients no longer need to pay and wait for reimbursement.

Currently, 75 per cent of expatriates with a Dubai residency visa are covered by mandatory health insurance. By the end of June, the remaining 25 per cent should be covered as part of the final stages of the scheme.

“This is a critical part of the process of becoming more organised, and more streamlined,” Dr Al Yousuf added.

“Companies are offering affordable packages for the whole family now, that is very positive. It is exactly what we have been building towards.

“Dubai is building more urgent care units that will help take load off a lot of the trauma centres.”

nwebster@thenational.ae