MONTEGO BAY, St James — Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton is pushing for the long-delayed Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) rehabilitation project to be completed before September next year.

“My position at this point is that we have to deliver on time. And on time right now may mean a month or two after what was originally announced, but we can’t go too far beyond that–– and I’ve made that clear to the team,” Tufton told the media Thursday.

“It means that, if [needed], they have to double up their efforts, turn on the night lights, hire more people,” he added.

A July 2025 JIS story had made mention of “substantial completion of the renovations anticipated by early next year”, but that timeline now appears to have shifted.

However, in addressing Thursday’s press conference held at S Hotel in Montego Bay, St James, the minister noted that while the temptation is always to push back a month or two to get things right and to get it perfect, there is a need for on-time delivery. He said the key is to hold contractors, management and leadership of the project accountable for delivering it on time and within budget.

The media briefing followed a meeting with executives in the region and an earlier visit to CRH. The Type A facility has been undergoing major rehabilitation since 2017 due to structural and air quality issues.

“We have to get it done because I believe the people of Jamaica now want to move into a new hospital, and it’s long overdue,” the health minister emphasised.

Noting that he tends to shy away from giving completion dates, and that he had noted previously referenced deadlines, including April and “mention of even September in one article that I read”, the minister said he has met with the team and told them to do it before September.

Tufton said he is satisfied with the quality of work being undertaken at CRH, and noted steady progress in several key areas, including installation of the central air conditioning system, operating theatres, dietary department, sewage system, fire suppression system, and medical gas piping.

“When you go into the building, you feel the work happening, you see the manifestations of it. No stopping, it’s just going on,” he said. “It’s just now the pace of the work to get it done, and get it done in a way that is timely.”

He maintained that his focus has shifted from periodic media updates to finally completing the project.

“I am not even so interested anymore to carry the media there to see the work going on. I really am interested now to cut the ribbon,” the minister said.