FREEPORT, St James — More beds, swifter discharge of treated patients, and strong support from members of the Jamaica Defence Force are among measures Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton credits for improved conditions at Cornwall Regional Hospital’s (CRH) high-traffic Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department.

“We have had an enhanced plan to reduce overcrowding in A&E at the hospital, which essentially involves a number of things, some of which I’ll mention here. It has borne fruit where, even though A&E continues to require some additional work, it’s nowhere near what it was three weeks ago,” he noted.

The minister was speaking Thursday during a media briefing held at the conference room of the Western Regional Health Authority’s (WRHA) Technical Office in Freeport, St James.

The update came weeks after the hospital’s medical staff staged a protest to call attention to challenges they were facing at the Montego Bay State-run medical facility. Tufton acknowledged these concerns, which have been linked to infrastructural damage caused by last October’s Hurricane Melissa.

He said an enhanced plan to manage patient flow has paid off, with stable patients now being discharged earlier and supported through outpatient care, allowing them to recover comfortably at home rather than in hospital lounges or chairs.

The minister also reported the completion of five out of seven ward spaces, adding 84 new beds to the hospital’s capacity. In addition, the maternity ward, which suffered extensive damage, including roof loss and waterlogging, has been fully restored and returned to full operation. Repairs included replacing corroded electrical systems, restoring ceilings, and rebuilding partitions.

A key development in hospital operations has been the introduction of extended working hours for the bed management officer and the near completion of a real-time bed management application. This technology will enable staff to quickly identify available beds and monitor patient progress, facilitating faster turnover and better resource utilisation.

Further capacity enhancements include the restructuring of ward spaces to add 12 beds, with a similar number expected to come online soon. Tufton also highlighted a partnership with the JDF, which has deployed emergency medical technicians to assist in A&E during peak hours, easing the burden on hospital staff.

Perhaps the most anticipated development is the imminent arrival of a medical dome, which will provide between 70 and 100 additional beds. The base for the dome is currently being prepared, and installation is expected to proceed swiftly once the dome arrives.

In this January file photo medical staff from the Cornwall Regional Hospital Accident and Emergency Department demonstrating over the conditions they were forced to work in.