Bacolod: The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) has initiated a partnership with private hospitals in the area to support patients during the three-month renovation and temporary closure of its emergency room (ER) services, which began on September 28.

According to Philippines News Agency, CLMMRH medical center chief Dr. Joan Cerrada announced during a press conference that the renovation aims to enhance space management and improve both patient and personnel experience in the Emergency Department. The project, valued at nearly PHP92 million, was awarded to Durabuild Construction on September 12, with completion expected in three months. Cerrada assured that the ER would be operational by the end of this period, with any additional work limited to the facility's exterior.

The hospital has signed agreements with six local private hospitals to formalize support during the renovation. These partners include Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital, The Doctor's Hospital, Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, South Bacolod General Hospital and Medical Center, Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital, and Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center. CLMMRH finance service chief Shareen Caelian emphasized the collaboration's importance in maintaining emergency care services for the community, ensuring critical cases are managed effectively.

Temporary arrangements include an 18-bed ER set up at the Outpatient Department waiting area and additional holding areas in the Mother and Child Building. The Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale will guide patient prioritization, with critical cases receiving immediate attention and stable cases redirected to partner hospitals as needed. The CLMMRH Operations Center will manage patient referrals from community health centers and other medical services.

The hospital's Integrated Hospital Operations Monitoring System has developed the ER Consortium Monitoring System to track bed availability across facilities, facilitating patient transfers as necessary. While CLMMRH will cover emergency service costs for referred patients, subsequent admissions at private hospitals will require PhilHealth benefits and other applicable discounts. Additional funding support will be drawn from CLMMRH income.