All out-patient clinics will resume at the Scarborough General Hospital in Tobago from today, Monday, on an appointment system only.

The old first-come-first-serve process has been scrapped. Clinics were suspended last month in response to rising Covid-19 cases.

“In order to protect the Island’s only hospital and its patients, the decision was taken to reduce the flow of people through the facility and therefore reduce the risk of a COVID-19 spread at the hospital,” a statement from Tobago Regional Health Authority read. 

The new telemedicine system introduced in May will also continue with patients who do not need to physically visit the clinic.

The TRHA also advises that patients and their accompanying persons should note there is a firm structure in place to reduce the flow of people through the hospital and therefore waiting times.

Acting Medical Chief of Staff, Dr Victor Wheeler says: “This new process is necessary to continue with the care that the public expects from the health care system. The public has been considerate and very cooperative under the trying times. We have managed to roll out our telemedicine service to ensure continuity and monitoring for those who needed it from the clinics.”