ESTHER, Hanover — As Dr Paul Garraway was being honoured for the excellent work he has been doing at Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover on Wednesday, he made an appeal for more staff.

The more than 200-year-old, 60-bed institution currently needs 12 doctors but has half that number.

Dr Garraway is hoping the health ministry’s two-day career expo and employment fair, which ended yesterday, will help.

“I see where they are advertising for some more doctors to come into the hospitals. I am hoping that we are getting extra staff because we do need them,” he told the Jamaica Observer on the sidelines of the hospital’s Annual Staff Appreciation ceremony held at Global Villa Hotel.

Like Dr Garraway, hospital Board Chairman Donovan Hamilton believes the fair will assist Hanover.

“There are some persons who may want to throw cold water on it but, as far as we are concerned, we believe that it will make a difference. We are short in almost every area, and we hope that at the end of this fair we will have had some names and people inking their signatures on paper to come into this space and assist us in alleviating the shortage that we are now experiencing,” stated Hamilton.

Dr Garraway, who has been employed at the hospital for the past three years, said it has been challenging but he has adjusted to the shortfall in staff.

“When I initially came here it was a bit stressful, but I have gotten used to it and been able to manage it more recently,” he told the Observer. However, that does not in any way diminish his wish for additional co-workers.

Dr Garraway was among 13 staff members from various hospital departments awarded during Wednesday’s ceremony. He said that being one of the awardees came as a shock and surprise to him.

The senior medical officer for the hospital, Dr Patrice Monthrope had nothing but commendation for the young doctor.

“I have been in Lucea for 10 years as senior medical officer and I would have to say that out of the 10 years he has been definitely one of, if not the best, in terms of his ambition, his excellence, empathy, compassion, his dedication to his work, and his commitment to personal growth as well. He is an excellent doctor, and I am very proud of him,” stated Dr Monthrope.

He pointed to the importance of showing staff appreciation.

“They have to be doing extra work, so we have to rely on sessional doctors from the outside to come and cover so that we can have coverage at the hospital,” explained Dr Monthrope.

“People are talking about the compensation but that is one thing, because people want more time; I think, more and more, people realise that time is the only thing that you can’t get back. It is not all about the financial compensation — it is really about the quality of life. Whatever we choose to do here for all our staff, we need to make sure that we look into that as well,” he added.

The appreciation ceremony is the brainchild of Hamilton, who took up the post of chairman last year. He is hoping that the awards will not only motivate staff to continue doing their best but also encourage others to work hard.

On Wednesday electrician Everoy Crooks, who works in the maintenance department, was bestowed with the Staff of the Year award. An elated Crooks received a cheque for $100,000 from Insurance Company of the West Indies (ICWI).

“It is always great when one can recognise you for the hard work that you have done. I really appreciate the award this afternoon,” stated Crooks.

“I stretch myself sometimes where I assist in plumbing, carpentry, and masonry. Whatever I am called to do, I always try to extend myself,” he added.

Hospital CEO Carlington McLennon said the ceremony was aimed at recognising, in a tangible way, hard-working employees who have made a lot of sacrifices. He also commended all the awardees.

The medical facility currently has a staff complement of more than 200 members.

The appreciation initiative was supported by Lasco, Excelsior, Grand Palladium Jamaica Hotel, Tryall Club, Hedonism II, Hanover Chamber of Commerce, Sklow Department Store, Chin’s Supermarket and ICWI.