Minister of Health Dr. the Honourable Christopher Tufton, has invited Opposition Spokesman on Health Mr. Horace Dalley to a meeting, to brief him on the ventilation system currently affecting operations at the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH). The meeting scheduled for Tuesday March 7, 2017, forms part of Minister Tufton’s effort to include all stakeholders in discussions on plans implemented at the hospital as well as the way forward.
In highlighting the importance of the complete repair of the ventilation system, in addition to other areas needing to be addressed at the hospital (such as electrical and plumbing), Minister Tufton said “the current situation at the Cornwall Regional Hospital is of national significance with critical consequences for staff of the facility and patients’ overall access to health care in Western Jamaica.”
Dr. Tufton, along with his technical team, also met recently with representatives of the Nursing Association of Jamaica, the Medical Association of Jamaica and the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association of Jamaica to discuss the ongoing efforts to find solutions to the challenges being faced at CRH.
From that meeting the groups agreed to implement the following:
- The relocation of in-patients to alternative accommodations on the compound within three weeks. The relocation of outpatient services is almost completed.
- The isolation and cleaning of the Operating Theatres and adjoining ward facilities which can remain to accommodate dire surgical emergencies.
- Continued rerouting of various services to other hospitals including Savanna-La-Mar and Falmouth as well as other medical facilities. Activities are underway to strengthen these areas to accommodate the increased patient load.
- Containment measures have begun to isolate the more severely affected areas of the hospital’s main building and alternate access points have been established.
The Ministry of Health has assumed command and control of ‘Operation Cornwall’. To assist in the coordination of the restoration of the building and communication with staff and the public, the Ministry of Health has set up an office at the Western Regional Health Authority. The Ministry of Heath also recognizes the support of the Jamaica Defence Force, PAHO, UNOPS, the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh Day Adventists, Food for the Poor, ODPEM and The Department of Defense Team, U.S Embassy Kingston.
Persons who require additional information are being asked to call the Patient Care Representative line (684-4041). The Ministry of Health commends all workers at the CRH who continue to carry out their duties in this difficult period and asks the public for patience as the team works to rectify the issues. We are appealing to the public to access alternative health care facilities (clinics) for non-urgent medical matters.