FALMOUTH, Trelawny –

Officials at the Trelawny Parish Council are encouraged by the overwhelming response they have been receiving from persons interested in using the Falmouth Infirmary’s $30-million state-of-the-art private wing, scheduled to open next week.

“Quite a lot of people, including returning residents are expressing interest in the facility, particularly the day care section,” chairman of the council and mayor of Falmouth, Colin Gager told the Observer West.

Minister of state with responsibility for local government Robert Montague, is scheduled to officially open the facility, which was donated by the overseas-based Friends of Falmouth Infirmary in Missouri, USA, next Thursday.

According to Gager, in recent weeks the local authority has been receiving enquiries from both local and overseas residents who said they want their loved ones to take up residence at the new wing of the infirmary.

“. we are really satisfied and very, very, encouraged by the response,” said an upbeat Gager.

He was unable to confirm, however, if anyone had already signed up to take up residence or to enroll in the day care section.

He noted that the new wing – which is to be named the ‘Icy Allen Care Centre’, in honour of sitting matron of the infirmary – is almost ready to accept inmates.

“Everything is almost in place… workmen are just putting on the finishing touches which should be completed within another few days,” he said.

The infirmary’s new wing consists of a male and female ward, which can comfortably accommodate roughly 35 beds.

It is outfitted with spacious reception and dining room areas, private rooms, two large verandas, and a modern laundry department and a female and male ward.

“A doctor will be on call and a wide variety of recreational activities will be available for the inmates,” Gager told the Observer West.

It is expected that the new facility will address the growing demand for geriatric care in Trelawny, as well as earn well-needed revenue for the municipal body.