SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says a development plan is underway to explore the construction of a private ward at the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, to bolster the institution’s capacity and provide critical support to health-care delivery in the parish.

“I’ve asked the management of the region to do a costing for two additional blocks on top of the new building that is being constructed, and explore the possibility of a private ward,” Tufton disclosed during a press briefing held at the institution on Friday.

The minister noted that the project could be realised through a combination of government funding and private sector investment.

“Once that costing is complete, we will decide whether we combine our own efforts and resources in Government with maybe some private sector support, because we believe that there is some advantage in putting in maybe a private ward in Sav-la-Mar that can accommodate those who can afford it, which would add to the capacity and provide some critical financial support to the hospital,” said Tufton.

Using the occasion to providing an update on ongoing works, Tufton, who also did a site visit, confirmed that repairs to the accident and emergency (A&E) department are complete. Work on the operating theatres is nearing completion and is expected to conclude in May. Additionally, 30 short-term bed spaces are being added to ease immediate pressure.

Additional infrastructure improvements include roof repairs to address leakage concerns, and planned upgrades to staff quarters, with the support from the National Housing Trust (NHT).

A temporary facility, which was used as an outpatient clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic and was dismantled by Hurricane Melissa, is now being built out in concrete. The 20,000-square-foot facility, which will become an outpatient clinic and later a ward space, is expected to be completed at the end of June.

Besides these, the minister also gave an update on the planned build-out of a brand-new A&E ward, a project originally unveiled two months before the September 2025 General Election.

“The new A&E… is being costed out now to go to market, which will include both outpatient clinic, A&E, and diagnostics, which will be a significant addition,” stated Tufton.

“When we construct the new A&E, Sav-la-Mar Hospital will become a much different hospital from what it was two or three years ago.”

Currently, the Type B facility has a capacity of 218 beds but following the renovations and the future clinic conversion, capacity is expected to reach 350 beds.

“My own view is that in the next few months you will see Sav-la-Mar Hospital being bigger and better. And indeed, when we construct the new A&E… you’d get up to 350 beds, coming from just over 200,” declared Tufton.

Despite the optimistic outlook for the 62-year-old institution, Dr Tufton highlighted three primary challenges that require urgent attention.

“We have some challenges that we have to overcome… One: the social cases. We have between 25 and 30 at any point in time; that’s over 10 per cent of the bed count. I know it’s difficult because it’s not entirely up to us, but we’re going to have to find a way to collaborate… because that is really putting us under pressure,” stated Tufton.

“The second is, as we build out we’re going to have to take some decisive action around the wastewater treatment facility – especially with the additional capacity.

“The third challenge… is the staff welfare component. I think we need to pay keen attention as management — and this applies to all hospitals — to ensuring that we have staff welfare in a more targeted way. And it’s not difficult to list the items: It’s really about the working environment, the staff lounge, the nutrition of the staff, the possibility of some sort of physical activity, just to ensure that staff feels as if they are a part of a community, that they can look forward to come to work, and work diligently, and get the best productivity for the patients who are here,” the minister reasoned.

“The hospital that provides the best staff welfare facility, we’ll find a way to incentivise them,” added Tufton.