Bermuda – Emergencies

What is the emergency phone number in Bermuda?

If there is an emergency, call 911 immediately. Similar to North America, you can dial 911 to reach a switchboard that will direct you to either the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service, or the local Ambulance Service. This single number covers all emergency services, so you only need to remember one number regardless of the nature of the situation.

Ambulance services within Bermuda are dispatched centrally by calling 911. All KEMH ambulances carry specially trained emergency medical technicians (EMTs). The Bermuda Hospital Board and Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service have collaborated to provide ambulances at both ends of the island — previously, ambulances could be dispatched only from the main hospital at Paget, but they are now also stationed at Clearwater fire station at St. David’s in the east and Port Royal fire station in the west. This significantly reduces transit times across the island.

If you need to contact the Emergency Department of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital directly, dial (441) 239-1359. The hospital’s main switchboard number is (441) 236-2345.

What should I do in a mental health emergency in Bermuda?

For mental health crises, the Bermuda Hospitals Board operates a 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line: 441 239-1111. This line is available around the clock and is the first point of contact for anyone experiencing a psychiatric emergency or acute psychological distress.

There is also a psychiatric hospital called the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI). The MWI is located in Devonshire Parish and is operated by the Bermuda Hospitals Board. The Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) comprises King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH), Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI), and the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre, offering comprehensive diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitative services across the full spectrum of both physical and mental health needs.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger due to a mental health crisis, do not hesitate to call 911 in addition to, or instead of, the crisis line. Emergency services can respond and coordinate with mental health professionals where needed. The MWI’s direct phone number is (441) 236-3770.

Where can I go for emergency medical treatment in Bermuda?

Bermuda has one main Accident and Emergency (A&E) hospital: King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH), located at Point Finger Road, Paget Parish. If your injury or illness is serious or potentially life-threatening, you should call an ambulance (911) or go straight to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Only the hospital has sophisticated equipment to diagnose head injuries, clots, strokes, heart attacks, and major trauma (road accidents), and the surgical support services that could save your life in a true emergency. For anything of this nature, KEMH is the only appropriate destination on the island.

The key emergency care facilities in Bermuda are:

• King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) — 7 Point Finger Road, Paget Parish, DV04. Phone: (441) 236-2345. Open 24 hours.
• Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI) — 44 Devon Spring Road, Devonshire. Phone: (441) 236-3770. Mental health emergencies. 24-hour crisis line: 441 239-1111.
• Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre — 1 Hall Street, Southside, St. George’s. Phone: (441) 298-7700. For minor, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

What facilities and services does KEMH offer?

KEMH is a well-equipped and modern general medical and surgical hospital with about 300 beds. All customary services are available, including an emergency and outpatient department. All of these hospitals are accredited under a Canadian system.

The Emergency Department is the most frequently utilised department in the hospital, with more than 35,000 visits a year. Open around the clock, 365 days a year, it is staffed with board-certified emergency medicine physicians and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), as well as registered nurses (RNs) who have specialised training in emergency, paediatric, and trauma nursing.

Language interpreters for numerous languages are available either in the hospital or by telephone. Diagnostic Imaging Services is located adjacent to the Emergency Department and, together with Laboratory Services, is available 24 hours a day when required.

Key achievements include specialised advancements, such as the creation of a comprehensive stroke centre in collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine International, enhancing acute neurological treatment capabilities. Specialty services include cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, psychiatry, surgery, and much more.

Is there an alternative to the hospital emergency department?

For illnesses and injuries that are urgent but not life-threatening, the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre (UCC) provides an alternative to the KEMH Emergency Department. This facility was built to serve the community on the east side of Bermuda in case the Causeway were impassable or an emergency happened at the international airport, and it oversees minor, unexpected illnesses such as sprains, cuts, or bumps.

The UCC provides medical care for minor injuries and illnesses such as cold, cough and flu, fevers, minor burns and bruises, allergies, sprains, sore throat, and skin problems. You do not need an appointment to visit and can simply walk in. The UCC has X-ray equipment and a small team including a doctor and nurse.

It is important to understand where the UCC’s limits lie. For serious illnesses or injuries such as head or life-threatening injuries, you should call an ambulance and go to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. When in doubt, always err on the side of going to KEMH or calling 911.

Is emergency treatment free in Bermuda?

There is no free medical service in Bermuda. Unlike systems such as the NHS in the United Kingdom or Medicare in Australia, Bermuda does not offer universal public healthcare — all medical treatment, including emergency care, comes with a cost that must be covered by the patient, their insurer, or both.

Medication and medical treatment in Bermuda are very expensive. You should make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation by air ambulance.

Healthcare in Bermuda is high-quality yet expensive, similar if not higher than medical costs in the US. Non-residents must pay an extra 100% charge for all services on top of the standard fee schedule — a significant consideration for short-term visitors and new arrivals who are not yet covered by a local plan.

If you need any hospital or medical attention or services, they must be paid for in cash or by credit card. No personal checks will be accepted. It is wise to ensure you have a suitable payment method available at all times.

Although Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory, it offers no reciprocal health services for travellers. There are no reciprocal healthcare arrangements with the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, or any other country. This means that domestic health entitlements from your home country — whether a national health service, a state insurance scheme, or a government retiree plan — will not be honoured in Bermuda.

Do I need health insurance in Bermuda?

Bermuda requires employers to provide health insurance for their employees, which covers a portion of medical expenses; however, the extent of this coverage can vary significantly between basic and comprehensive plans. If you are moving to Bermuda for work, your employer is legally required to provide at least basic coverage, but it may not be sufficient for all circumstances.

For visitors, insurance is not technically mandated by Bermuda for entry (outside of specific prior pandemic-era requirements), but it is strongly advised by multiple official sources. Before travelling to Bermuda, you must ensure you have adequate health insurance, as travellers will be responsible for the cost of their healthcare while on the island. Bermuda does not accept US health insurance policies in the way they function domestically, so even those with home-country coverage should confirm their policy applies internationally.

Services covered in full without a cap under the standard Health Insurance Plan include hospitalisations, emergency room visits, and lab services. Having private medical cover in Bermuda is not mandatory but can make a real difference — given how expensive healthcare in Bermuda can be, plus the capped benefits involved in the main Health Insurance Plan, a private policy can help you avoid unexpected costs.

The step-by-step process for seeking emergency care in Bermuda is straightforward:

1. Call 911 immediately for any life-threatening emergency — this dispatches ambulance, police, or fire services as needed.
2. For mental health crises, call the 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line on 441 239-1111, or call 911 if there is immediate danger.
3. Go directly to KEMH (7 Point Finger Road, Paget) if you are able to transport yourself and the condition is serious but you do not need an ambulance.
4. Use the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre for minor illnesses and injuries that are urgent but not life-threatening.
5. Contact your insurer as soon as possible to notify them of any treatment and to understand what costs will be covered or reimbursed.
6. Keep payment ready — hospital and clinic fees must be paid in cash or by credit card; no personal cheques are accepted.

What about medical evacuation?

Medical evacuation services to North America by air are available for cases where specialist treatment is required that cannot be provided within Bermuda. All air ambulance services are coordinated by the medical social workers of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. For additional information on arranging air ambulance services, contact the hospital directly on (441) 236-2345.

You may want to purchase a policy with medical evacuation coverage, since expats often travel to the US for medical treatment beyond routine care. Medical evacuation flights are costly, and without dedicated coverage this can result in extremely high out-of-pocket expenses. Many international health insurance plans include evacuation as standard — check the terms of your policy carefully before you travel or relocate.

Frequently asked questions

What number do I call for an ambulance in Bermuda?

To call an ambulance, dial 911. This connects you to a central switchboard covering ambulance, police, and fire services. You can also call the KEMH Emergency Department directly on (441) 239-1359.

Is 999 or 112 accepted as an emergency number in Bermuda?

The official emergency number in Bermuda is 911. Unlike many European countries that use 112, or former British territories that may use 999, Bermuda operates on the North American 911 system. Always use 911 for emergencies on the island.

Where is King Edward VII Memorial Hospital located?

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) is located at Point Finger Road, Paget Parish, Bermuda. Its main phone number is (441) 236-2345. It is the island’s only full Accident and Emergency hospital and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Can I use my home country’s health insurance in Bermuda?

Although Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory, it offers no reciprocal health services for travellers, and there are no reciprocal healthcare arrangements with the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, or any other country. You should obtain dedicated travel or international health insurance before arriving in Bermuda.

What is the mental health crisis line in Bermuda?

The Bermuda Hospitals Board operates a 24-hour Mental Health Crisis Line at 441 239-1111. The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI) in Devonshire is the dedicated psychiatric facility for the island and can also be reached on (441) 236-3770.

What happens if I cannot afford to pay for emergency treatment in Bermuda?

Emergency treatment at KEMH will not be withheld in a life-threatening situation, but all treatment costs must eventually be settled. Hospital or medical services must be paid for in cash or by credit card — no personal checks are accepted. If you are uninsured, you will be personally liable for the full cost of treatment, which can be extremely high. Always arrange adequate insurance before you travel or relocate.

What is the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre and when should I use it?

The Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre handles minor, unexpected illnesses such as sprains, cuts, or bumps. It is located at 1 Hall Street, Southside, St. George’s, and can be reached on (441) 298-7700. It is not equipped for serious or life-threatening emergencies — for those, always go to KEMH or call 911.

Are there language support services at KEMH?

Language interpreters for numerous languages are available either in the hospital or by telephone. This means that a lack of familiarity with the local language should not be a barrier to receiving emergency care at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.