LUCEA, Hanover — Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says the approximately $300-million restoration work being done on Noel Holmes Hospital in this parish is expected to be completed by the end of September.

The hospital was severely damaged during last October’s passage of Hurricane Melissa.

“As far as restoration to the 60-bed facility is concerned, September sounds to be like D-Day when everything should be in place,” the minister said during a media briefing following a tour of the institution last Friday afternoon.

Tufton said he was left encouraged after a tour of the facility and discussions with staff.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton (centre) in talks, last Friday, with chief executive officer (CEO) of Noel Holmes Hospital Princess Wedderburn (right) during a tour of the new pharmacy under construction at the Hanover hospital. Looking on is regional director for the Western Regional Health Authority Deveta McLaren.(Photo: Anthony Lewis)

“They feel that things are happening and they are working together as a team to make things happen,” stated the minister.

Even with the ongoing repairs, the hospital’s staff complement has significantly expanded with the number of doctors increasing from five to 12, and the cadre of nurses growing from 77 to 112. Tufton said the volume of patient care is now exceeding pre-hurricane levels.

As indicated by the minister when he provided further updates, the six-bed staff quarters — which have robust slab roofing designed to withstand future storms – are 99.9 per cent complete. Beds, cabinets, and refrigerators are already installed, with re-engagement expected within weeks.

The hospital’s maternity ward, which features newly installed electrical and medical gas systems, ongoing ceiling and HVAC work, and a sturdy new slab roof replacing the zinc roof lifted by the storm is 55 per cent complete. The operating theatre, on the other hand, is now ready for use.

Regarding the outpatient clinic and modular units, while the main clinic undergoes re-roofing and painting, four air-conditioned modular units are fully operational, offering comfortable consultation rooms and bathroom facilities. Meanwhile, construction work on the dietary and stores department is approximately 26 per cent complete and the goal is to finish that aspect of the project within the next six weeks.

The maternity ward at Noel Holmes Hospital now has a slab roof which replaced the zinc that was there before Hurricane Melissa. (Photo: Anthony Lewis)

During the briefing, Tufton gave special recognition to the hospital’s “unsung heroes”.

Among them was the small team of about eight people who form maintenance department which played a vital role and went far beyond the call of duty when energy supply was critical to saving lives.

The public health and vector control divisions were equally lauded for averting a post-disaster crisis despite widespread settling of water left behind by the hurricane.

“It’s interesting that we never had a dengue outbreak in the aftermath of [Hurricane] Beryl [in 2024]. Our public health office inspectors and our vector control workers really worked hard to control the risks that were out there — whether it is spoiled meat, or the rodents, or the mosquitoes,” said Tufton.

The nearly completed staff quarters at Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover (Photo: Anthony Lewis)

Turning his attention to primary health-care facilities, the minister said they received attention under Phase 1 of the project that covers 13 health centres with a budget of approximately $80 million.

Most facilities — including Cascade, Cave Valley, Cops, Grange/Kendall, Green Island, Hopewell, Lucea, Maryland, and Sandy Bay — are now 100 per cent complete and fully operational. Chester Castle and Montpelier are near 90 per cent completion, with August re-openings anticipated.

The Ramble Health Centre, however, requires a larger vision. While temporary repairs brought it back online, plans are underway — in partnership with the National Land Agency (NLA) — to re-scope and relocate the centre to a larger parcel of land to create a bigger and more modern facility.

While technical assessments are to be undertaken to inform the possible relocation of Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover, Falmouth Public General Hospital in Trelawny, and Black River Hospital in St Elizabeth further inland away from the coast, Tufton said a re-scoping in keeping with the development plans and population growth of Hanover will be carried out to determine if there is a need to increase the size of the hospital.