MOUNT SALEM, St James — Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says restoration work on the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) in St James is going well, and as such he is calling on critics to refrain from creating panic.

The 10-floor structure was shut down approximately two years ago for a complete overhaul after sections of the building were reportedly engulfed in noxious fumes, which caused illness among some staff and patients, and led to protests.

Recently, Opposition leader Dr Peter Phillips during a visit to the facility, lamented over the length of time it was taking to complete the project, pointing out numerous deadlines that had been missed.

However, Dr Tufton said while he understands the need to ask questions, one should avoid creating panic.

“I just want to say to those who are concerned, we are happy to provide the information. While it is understandable that queries will be advanced, while it is understandable that questions will be asked as they should be, I think it is a public facility paid for by taxpayers, let’s not create panic.

“I think we are managing the process and treating patients at the same time, which is a challenge that I think very few of us have had to face in the past while treating patients,” Dr Tufton stated.

The minister argued that the magnitude of the work was enormous, resulting from the rebuilding of a new hospital, “brick by brick and service by service”, which would result in a much better and more efficient medical facility to serve the needs of western Jamaica.

Dr Tufton was speaking to stakeholders on Friday during the opening of a stand-alone state-of-the-art radiology facility that will offer X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound services, valued at $50 million dollars.

He argued that with the new accident and emergency (A&E) facility, which was opened last year, and the new stand-alone radiology department, western Jamaica now has “the most modern trauma centre coming out of the crisis at Cornwall that can be compared with other facilities in Jamaica and the region”.

Combined, Dr Tufton said, the facility was equipped with diagnostic, radiographic equipment, staff, emergency services to include an operating theatre and waiting areas, and would ensure a smooth flow in treating persons in need of emergency and other care.

“It means that no one who is unfortunate to have these trauma- related cases, whether it is a motor vehicle accident, a gunshot wound or a heart attack as the case may be, who visit these facilities will get less than the absolute best quality service based on the doctors who are here, the nurses who are here and now based on the facility, the infrastructure and equipment that are here,” Dr Tufton said.

In a given month, the hospital would perform 3,500 CT scans, 15,000 X-rays and some 2,500 ultrasounds. The minister further disclosed that it had cost the Government just under $180 million to outsource these radiology scans during the two-year period since the main building had been closed.

“I am told that [with] the technology-driven radiology unit, we no longer offer wet processing film for the unit, instead they have joined the era of digital radiography, thanks to the European Union programme for the Reduction of Maternity and Child Mortality Programme,” stated Dr Tufton.

“The programme has provided us with radiography CR cassette reader and its associated hardware including printers, specialised films, workstation and three view workstations. And, once in full operation, all wards and clinic areas will be fitted with view stations.

Regional Director of the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) Errol Greene added: “We have already got the physicists to come in, and they have certified the areas for the X-rays. The CT (scan) has just been completed, and we are waiting on the physicists now to come to certify the radiation levels and once that is done, then we can start putting our patients into the machine.”