JAMAICA | PNP wants immediate refurbishing of Cornwall Regional Hospital’s A&E department

(MONTEGO BAY, May 6, 2022) - The People's National Party is calling on Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton to immediately rectify some of the temporary facilities at the accident and emergency ward at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in an effort to expedite and ensure proper delivery of Health care to residents of Montego Bay and Western Jamaica.

The PNP’s call came on Wednesday following a tour of the hospital by the Opposition Spokesman on Health Dr. Morais Guy, as well as Montego Bay Senator Janice Allen and a team of persons including Oversight Chairman Dr. Jeffery East. Senator Allen, having heard the cries and seen the realities on the ground, invited the Opposition spokesman on Health & Wellness to Montego Bay to get a first-hand update on the project.

The team toured the CRH building which was visibly under repair as well as the other areas of the hospital including the controversial A&E department which has long been the subject of complaints by members of the public for what they say are its unwelcomed facilities.

Both Dr. Guy and Senator Allen welcomed the restart of the refurbishing exercise which they were advised began in February and scheduled to end in December. The project, according to the minister as of July 2020 had so far racked up 3.5 billion on rehabilitation.

“We were on one hand encouraged to see that the work has actually started, however we were enraged to learn that the work had only commenced in February of this year when the 10 month contract was issued to start to do the preliminary structural work to repair the building” said Dr. Guy

Once this is complete there is projected to be another 2 years of work to refurbish the hospital. This could and should have been completed more than a year ago,” Dr. Guy said.

At the completion of the tour Senator Allen called for the recognition of the need for a greater level of health security for the people of Montego Bay and western Jamaica and said she was appalled that it will take another three or so years before we can begin to realize any amount of health security for western Jamaica.

The displacement of staff and hospital operations continue to negatively impact the work of the medical professionals who operate in cramped conditions and in facilities not designed for most of the work they have to undertake.

“The A&E tent for example is not only a horrible sight for patients; it is uncomfortable and simply not conducive to the delivery of care. Whether ventilation or the ability to keep the space adequately clean, there are current issues which must be addressed so that work can be carried out”

The minister says while the services are still being offered, he’s beyond concerned that they are being done under challenging and questionable conditions for the patients and the medical professionals.

“The reality is that temporary structures will have to be maintained for at least another two and half years. So at this point it is important to have improvements in critical areas so the delivery of service can be improved to the benefit of all” said Senator Allen.

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