A GP believes he has the answer to the problem of unnecessary emergency room visits causing health insurance premiums to rise — a drop-in medical clinic where no appointment is necessary.

As reported by The Royal Gazette last month, Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) says the emergency department at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is being abused by those who prefer to go there than to their doctor with non-urgent ailments because the service is “free” to patients.

BHB says the number of visits to ER is rising rapidly, despite a declining population, and that people attending with non-urgent conditions such as sprains, asthma and rashes are driving up the cost of everyone’s health premiums.

Jay Jay Soares, who runs Hamilton Medical Centre, at 9 Victoria Street, said he hoped a walk-in clinic he has opened six days a week will encourage people not to misuse the emergency room when they simply need to see a GP.

“You can be a patient of any doctor and walk in and be seen,” he said. “I think the emergency room cost is $800 minimum [covered completely by insurance] whereas it’s only about $120 for a doctor’s appointment.”

Dr Soares explained that the centre’s drop-in patients are required to pay a co-payment of between $30 and $40, depending on their insurance policy.

But he said he hoped people would realise the “savings to the system” of using the service, rather than going to KEMH when they don’t really need to.

“I think some people just don’t know there are any other options,” he said.

“Our service really offloads the ER. The vast majority of people come in for the common cold, flu symptoms, ear infections, sprains and joint complaints.

“I do get the full range of medical problems right up to chest pains and possible strokes. Most of the time people have a symptom and are just worried whether it’s anything serious or not.

“We provide that service and are able to tell them if it something minor or moderate which we can treat at the clinic or if it is something more serious which requires us to refer them to the emergency department.

“Our function is to act like a triage centre which you can present to receive treatment or be referred for further investigations. If appropriate we refer you to the emergency department or to a medical specialist.”

The walk-in clinic opened about a year ago but Dr Soares said it was only “starting to really catch on now”.

He added: “Typically, it’s two to three days wait [to see a GP] and by then you are often better.

“What we offer is no appointments and people love it. There’s usually a maximum 20 minute wait to be seen.

“It’s all the rage in the States and it’s an idea that will hopefully catch on here.”

The centre is open from 8am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday. The telephone number is 495-5745 though there is no need to call before walking in.