A mass casualty plan and disaster drill are among the measures being taken to ensure that Bermuda is prepared for increased medical demands during the 35th America’s Cup.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board outlined the measures in response to questions by The Royal Gazette in light of the announcement last week that there was a beds “crisis” at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The board announced that every bed in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s emergency department and new acute care wing is full.

A BHB spokesperson said: “The Executive Team and Disaster Committee at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital meets regularly to co-ordinate BHB’s response to potential demands for increased use of services over this one month event.

“BHB disaster co-ordinator Dr Roslyn Bascombe-Adams has developed a Mass Casualty Management Plan specific to the America’s Cup events.

“There will be a large simulation exercise ‘Disaster Drill’ this Saturday to test numerous components of the ACBDA MCM plan. This will involve multiple EMS service providers.

“Elective surgeries are not being scheduled at KEMH over the four weeks of this event.

“BHB has co-ordinated with Marine and Ports and the Bermuda Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre ‘Harbour Radio’ to arrange for resources to be in place for waterborne transport of patients and/or mass casualty management victims should the need arise.”