MOUNT SALEM, St James — Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has indicated that the last phases of rehabilitation of Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) have been finalised.

This aspect of the delay-plagued project has to do with the look and feel of both the interior and exterior of the State-run facility.

Phase three of the project, which will also see the phased occupation of the building, was signed off on during a three-day retreat in Trelawny in April.

“I am happy to report that we are now in a stage where there is a sign-off on the final look and feel; maybe one or two minor things [remain] but pretty much a sign-off. And so, the contractors are now kicking into the next gear,” stated the health minister.

He was addressing a special presentation of design works for the Type A facility located in Mount Salem on Thursday.

A team, including CRH Senior Medical Officer Dr Derek Harvey left the island Thursday afternoon for China where they will assess medical equipment that is to be installed at the hospital.

“There is a team that is heading off today for a 4:30 flight to China where, as part of the arrangements, they are going to assess some equipment,” stated Tufton. “Once the clinicians say it can work in the appropriate service arrangement and so on, then we will sign off.”

Project manager for the CRH rehabilitation team, Vivian Gordon noted that while the final phase is one month behind schedule, phased handing over will start by the end of the year.

“The idea is that we are going to have sectional completion, which essentially means that we are handing over a section of the building from the end of this year through to the completion in 30 months — the final stage,” stated Gordon.

Stage one of phase three includes the completion of the dietary department, server room, and medical records department.

The second stage includes completion of all professional services including full medical and non-medical layout through all 10 floors, furniture and equipment installation, testing and commencing reoccupation.

Material to be used on the interior will make it easy to maintain, enhance infection control and noise pollution control.

“The use of materials that do not require substantial maintenance is also another important point… The team, in determining what material to use — whether in terms of the colour scheme, what is put as cladding on the floors [or] on the walls — has kept in mind at all times that it needs to be low maintenance, but adequate maintenance. That was an important part of the consideration,” stated Tufton.

He said instructions have been given for the engagement of a landscape architect who will ensure that the hospital compound depicts a wellness theme where everyone, including staff, can take mental wellness breaks.

He also provided an update on the Western Children and Adolescent Hospital (WCAH), saying occupation is expected by May 2025. Tufton said that facility will have four theatres while the CRH will have seven. Both hospitals will provide a combined total of more than 700 beds on the same property. They will be linked and share some departments such as dietary, laundry and a morgue.

Tufton said more than 4,000 people will be employed to keep the plant in operation.

Dr Harvey noted that in addition to existing services, new ones will be added while others will be reintroduced.

The minister and health officials at CRH are also pleased that CRH will be able to take emergency airlift transfers from elsewhere, contributing to a significant reduction in the airlifting of emergency medical cases to the University Hospital of West Indies.

Tufton said he is fairly happy with the progress of work on CRH, which he described as a health campus.

“I am encouraged. I am motivated that the team is working and we are seeing results as much as we are impatient to see a conclusion,” the health minister noted.

“This stage that we are at, I think is another achievement along that journey in that we know where we are going now. We know exactly how the look and feel of the place will be and we are now going to start laying it out with a phased approach for opening. And that is a positive thing,” he argued.

Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon was equally pleased.

“We are happy in Montego Bay for the progress that has been made. At some point in time, we would have had to come to this table to sit and have discussions. At some point in time, there would have to be some alternative to what existed in Cornwall Regional Hospital and this is the time. It is happening and we are happy that it is happening,” he said.