What are some Cup Match health related issues?

Answers supplied by Jennifer Attride-Stirling, CEO of the Bermuda Health Council

Question: Cup Match is a great holiday, but all the fun, games and partying must cause some headaches for doctors and nurses. Are there any changes in health-related issues at this time of year?

The Bermuda Health Council doesn’t officially monitor trends in health behaviours or statistics during Cup Match, so we can’t provide a detailed breakdown of what happens. 

However, based on anecdotal evidence from healthcare providers on the frontline, it certainly appears that you’ve hit the nail on the head. We know, for example that injuries from road traffic crashes peak during week-ends and public holidays.

 In addition, Emergency Room visits go up significantly at the end of long holiday week-ends and the following Monday — Cup Match is no different. 

This is partly due to primary care being less available, but also because greater risk-taking results in more accidents and injuries. 

Another interesting trend concerns sexual risks. The number of visits to the Communicable Disease Clinic and the Maternal Health & Family Planning Clinic goes up immediately after a public holiday. 

This is likely due to increased sexual risk-taking during the holiday partying, followed by sobering realizations the morning after. 

We can make light of it, but the added strain these behaviours place on the health system are beyond question. 

More demand, more manpower, longer waits, plus the burden of recovery and other consequences of those risks that seemed like a really good idea at the time. 

So this Cup Match, whatever you do, use moderation: don’t drink and drive, avoid smoking and make responsible sexual decisions. You’ll have a great time and won’t regret it in the morning ?

Around my family it seems like someone always gets sick or has an injury during the holidays. Where can I seek medical help for serious but non-emergency care when my doctor’s office is closed during Cup Match?

It’s true: people don’t stop getting sick just because it’s a public holiday, and such instances are most often not emergencies. 

Luckily there is help available for non-emergency cases during the Cup Match holiday. 

Pharmacists are often able to assist with queries on minor ailments. 

On Thursday and Friday, there are a number of pharmacies open ( see page eight for a full listing).

The Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre will also be open from 4 p.m. to midnight on Thursday and Friday of Cup Match. 

The Centre will have a physician, nurses and diagnostic technicians available to assist with minor injuries and illnesses that need urgent attention.

Finally, if it is truly an emergency you should consult with the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Let’s hope you will not need to and you will have a safe and happy Cup Match!