Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Tufton looking at additional staff for Sav hospital
Hazeline Forrester (third left), director of nursing services atSavanna-la-Mar Hospital, offers a word of prayer during a tour byHealth Minister Dr Christopher Tufton (fourth left). To her left isGeorge Wright, Westmoreland Central MP. (Photo: Anthony Lewis)
News
September 4, 2021

Tufton looking at additional staff for Sav hospital

SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has promised to examine the possibility of providing additional support to the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, which is currently buckling under pressure from the impact of the novel coronavirus.

“One of the things that we need to look at is to see if we can get some additional staff from across the border and if we can even move people over temporarily. It is something that we need to examine and see how possible that is because, at this rate, this small complement is going to buckle under the stress,” he said. Tufton was speaking to staff during a visit to the hospital on Thursday, to mourn with them after Monday’s death of Accident and Emergency Department supervisor, 37-year-old Diagrea Davis Cunningham.

He also spoke of the possibility of utilising recent medical school graduates at the facility.

“We may still have to take them and put them into some of the areas where we can eventually develop them, and they can move into some of the challenging areas, so that we can take some of the pressure off you guys,” said the health minister.

Nurses across the country have spoken out about the physical and mental toll of keeping patients alive during a pandemic. During his visit to Westmoreland and Hanover, the health minister also spoke of the need to find ways to show appreciation for the work being done by those on the front lines.

“The war that we are in, some people fall on the front line and they do it in service to others over time. It is a really tough situation,” he said.

Efforts were made by groups Thursday to make staff at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital a bit more comfortable on the job. Among them are members of the Rotary Club of Savanna-la-Mar and the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and Industry which have begun providing coffee, tea, sandwiches and fruit plates for hospital staff.

To complement those initiatives, efforts are also under way to address the shortage of bed space. Minister Tufton said work is expected to begin on a much-anticipated 36-bed field hospital which will address overcapacity at the Savanna-la-Mar hospital. There will have to be an outlay of $11 million to construct the base that will house the material donated for the facility.

To date, field hospitals have been established at Falmouth Hospital, Trelawny; St Joseph’s Hospital, Kingston; and Spanish Town Hospital, St Catherine. Efforts are also under way to build others in Mandeville, Manchester, and May Pen, Clarendon.

— Anthony Lewis

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

JDA pushes draught, problem-solving in St Mary school
Latest News, Sports
JDA pushes draught, problem-solving in St Mary school
July 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica —The Jamaica Draughts Association (JDA) continues to advance its mission of promoting strategic and critical thinking among Jamaica'...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Forex: $158.25 to one US dollar
Latest News, News
Forex: $158.25 to one US dollar
July 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The United States (US) dollar on Monday, July 6, ended at $158.25 down by $1.12 cents, according to the Bank of Jamaica’s daily ex...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Holness writes Caricom expressing concerns over reappointment of secretary general
Latest News, Regional
Holness writes Caricom expressing concerns over reappointment of secretary general
July 6, 2026
CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC)–Prime Minister Andrew Holness says while Jamaica is not seeking to overturn the decision of regional leaders to reappoint Dr ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
FIFA defend Balogun referee after Trump attack
International News, Latest News
FIFA defend Balogun referee after Trump attack
July 6, 2026
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP)—FIFA defended the World Cup referee at the centre of the Folarin Balogun controversy on Monday after the official was...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica to face strong Canadian team in FIBA World Champs qualifying game
Latest News, Sports
Jamaica to face strong Canadian team in FIBA World Champs qualifying game
July 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jamaica must beat second round qualifiers Canada in Monday’s FIBA World Championships Americas Group B game in Canada, if they are t...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
YEA launches ACTION to strengthen Afro-Caribbean trade and investment
Business, Latest News
YEA launches ACTION to strengthen Afro-Caribbean trade and investment
July 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Young Entrepreneurs Association of Jamaica (YEA) has announced the launch of ACTION (Afro Caribbean Trade and Investment Oppor...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Hundreds of renal patients benefit as Mandeville hospital achieves milestone fistula procedures
Latest News, News
Hundreds of renal patients benefit as Mandeville hospital achieves milestone fistula procedures
July 6, 2026
MANCHESTER, Jamaica—Hundreds of patients living with chronic kidney disease across southern Jamaica gained improved access to haemodialysis treatment ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
WATCH: Golding accuses Holness of breaching Westminster principles by failing to remove Wheatley
Latest News, News, Videos
WATCH: Golding accuses Holness of breaching Westminster principles by failing to remove Wheatley
July 6, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Leader Mark Golding has accused Prime Minister Andrew Holness of violating the principles of Westminster government by ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct