Due to the inclement weather and reported flooding in most parishes, the Ministry of Health has been experiencing low staff turnout at hospitals and health centres across the island. Some facilities have also been affected by the rains. Consequently, some services have been disruption. The following details the current situation at hospitals and health centres:
HEALTH FACILITIES STRUCTURAL ISSUES
May Pen Hospital and Kingston Public Hospital, KPH, (3 North) are affected by major leaks. All other hospitals have reported minor leaks. Flooding has been reported at the Spanish Town and Annotto Bay Accident and Emergency Departments, Noel Holmes Maternity Ward and some sections of the Port Antonio Hospital.
Morant Bay Health Centre has reported major leaks. Most other health centers have reported minor leaks. Flooding has been reported Ocho Rios, Adelphi, Claremont and St Margarets Bay Health Centres.
STAFF & PATIENT CENSUS
Low turnout of staff at most clinics and hospitals. Most hospitals are at 80- 100% capacity and report 50-75% staff turnout.
SERVICE DELIVERY: Health Centres
North East Regional Health Authority – NERHA
- Ann: Ocho Rios Health Centre is closed – patients are directed to Exchange Health Centre. All other health centres in St Ann are open with limited staff.
- Mary: All health centres are opened. Primary care patients from Port Maria Health Centre are being seen at the Port Maria Hospital.
- Portland: All clinics are open except St. Margarets Bay Heath Centre which is flooded.
South East Regional Health Authority – SERHA
- Kingston and St. Andrew: All curative services are operational but have been hampered by limited staff. Pharmacy services are disrupted due to poor staff turnout.
- Thomas: All health centres are closed except Morant Bay – clients are being advised to use this facility.
Southern Regional Health Authority – SRHA
- Elizabeth: five health centres are closed: Aberdeen (inaccessible), Springfield, Maggoty, Pepper and Lacovia. Patients are being directed to other clinics.
- Clarendon: four of 32 health centres are opened and are offering services – May Pen, Chapelton, Raymond, Spalding Health Centres.
Western Regional Health Authority – WRHA
- Westmoreland: All health centres are open.
- James: All clinics operational except Adelphi Health Centre which is flooded.
- Falmouth: All health centres are open.
- Trelawny: All health centres are open.
SERVICE DELIVERY: Hospitals
Outpatient Clinics are disrupted and suspended at some hospitals and patients are being discharged from the Kingston Public, May Pen and Linstead Hospitals.
SERHA
Bustamante Hospital for Children: Normal operations.
National Chest Hospital: Normal operations.
Kingston Public Hospital: Reduced staff in A&E; Only Emergency surgeries.
Princess Margaret: Normal operations; limited staff.
Linstead: 50% of patients discharged; A&E operational.
Spanish Town Hospital: Decreased staff; normal operations.
NERHA
St. Ann’s Bay Hospital: Staff in support areas reduced. Lab not opened.
Prince Margaret Hospital: Normal operations.
Annotto Bay Hospital: Normal operations.
Port Antonio Hospital: Normal operations.
SHRA
Black River Hospital: Overcrowded; staff reduced.
Mandeville Regional Hospital: Normal operations.
May Pen Hospital: Very low staff; doctors are now doing double shifts as no relief.
Percy Junor Hospital: Normal operations.
Chapetlon Hopsital: Low staff turnout; Pharmacy services suspended.
Lionel Town Hospital: Low staff turnout; Pharmacy Services suspended.
WRHA
Sav-La-Mar Hospital: Normal operations except for Orthopedic Clinic which has flooding in corridors.
Falmouth Hospital: Affected by flooding on compound but services continue.
Noel Holmes Hospital: Normal operations.
Cornwall Regional Hospital: Normal operation.
The Ministry of Health continues to monitor and assess the situation and will communicate updates when they become available. Members of the public can also access the Ministry by calling our toll free line: 1-888-CALL -MOH or 1-888-225-5664.