Administrators at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) are moving to expand the hospital’s linen supply to strengthen patient care and prevent shortages.

Medical Director Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis said the current stock of roughly four sheets per bed — about 710 at full 185-bed capacity — leaves little buffer for wear and high demand. The hospital is targeting six sheets per bed, requiring between 1,100 and 1,200 sheets for safe operations.

SLBMC recently received 300 additional sheets from the Medical Benefits Scheme, raising inventory to about 1,000, with another 500 on order that would bring the total to approximately 1,500.

“That keeps us in a much safer place,” she said, adding that hospitals should never run short of linens.

Dr. Belle-Jarvis noted the facility’s capital assets are valued at about $27 million, with $2 million in new equipment recently acquired, but said ongoing upgrades will require continued support from private partners and civil society.