Strengthening A&E at Connaught

On 21 October, the Minister for Health and Sanitation, Dr Abu Bakr Fofanah, visited Connaught Hospital to discuss plans for the refurbishment of the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department.

A&E is an emerging area of specialist practice in Sierra Leone with potential to transform how health care is delivered in the country. Connaught staff have been working with King’s Sierra Leone Partnership to reform how A&E care is provided. Recently the hospital has successfully implemented a new triage system to prioritise the urgency of patient treatment. 

Sister Cecilia and KSLP A&E Nurse Mentor Hedda

The refurbishment includes the construction of a dedicated minor procedure room so that staff can conduct urgent surgeries within the A&E department.  There will also be new water and sanitation facilities for hand washing, improved waste disposal provision, and drainage to support improved infection prevention & control processes.

The A&E Team: Sister Cecilia, A&E Consultant Surgeon Dr Seisey, KSLP A&E Co-ordinator Dr Ling and Matron

Through the improved capacity of the A&E department, Connaught Hospital will be better able to respond and prevent future health crises such as ebola, as well as manage casualties from other health emergencies.  

Technicians at Connaught

We would like to introduce Ibrahim, one of Connaught Hospital’s highly skilled technicians behind the functioning of the hospital’s new oxygen factory.

Since the rejuvenation of the oxygen factory he says, “I feel more secure in my job and that my team are needed and will continue to be supporting the hospital in the future”

The Technician Team- (l-r) Abu, Amadu, Ibrahim and Desmond

Ibrahim first started working at Connaught Hospital 5 years ago. Since then he has become a specialist in handling medical equipment like ECGs, monitors, anaesthetic machines and, of course, oxygen concentrators. Ibrahim enjoys his job and is always looking to improve his skills. He and all the technicians are hoping that in the future they will continue their training so they can maintain the full range of specialised medical equipment needed at Connaught.

Ibrahim and his fellow technicians demonstrating Connaught's new oxygen factory

Ibrahim is very positive about Sierra Leone’s future. “So many sad things have happened but we are strong people. Ebola exposed weaknesses in health care so we are improving from now.”