ST JAMES, Jamaica –The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) says it is aware of concerns regarding the availability of neurosurgical services at Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) and is reassuring the public that measures are in place to ensure that patients requiring neurosurgical care are appropriately managed.

The WRHA in a statement on Monday, said the Cornwall Regional Hospital has three consultant posts for neurosurgeons. However, the hospital has been able to fill only one of the consultant positions due to the limited availability of qualified neurosurgeons.

“The WRHA acknowledges that the shortage of neurosurgical specialists is not unique to Cornwall Regional Hospital and reflects a broader challenge in accessing highly specialised medical expertise. Despite this challenge, arrangements are in place with other institutions to facilitate the referral and management of patients who require neurosurgical intervention,” WRHA said.

It said patients who present at Cornwall Regional Hospital and require a level of neurosurgical care that cannot be provided at the facility are referred to other appropriate institutions, including the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), based on the clinical needs of the patient.

Further it said no patient requiring neurosurgical care is denied that care simply because a neurosurgeon is not immediately available at Cornwall Regional Hospital.

“The clinical teams assess patients and activate the appropriate referral arrangements to ensure that they receive the necessary specialist attention,” WRHA said.

The WRHA said a second neurosurgeon is expected to join the Cornwall Regional Hospital team shortly, which will strengthen the hospital’s capacity to provide neurosurgical services and reduce the pressure associated with the current staffing gap.

“At the national level, the Government is actively addressing the shortage of specialised medical personnel. Cabinet has approved the establishment of an International Recruitment Unit in the Ministry of Health & Wellness which is intended to strengthen the Government’s ability to recruit suitably qualified healthcare professionals internationally in areas where vacancies exist and cannot be filled through local recruitment,” WRHA said.

It said discussions are taking place with the University of the West Indies and its medical training programme to examine opportunities for expanding local specialist training.

“The Government recognises that sustainable solutions to specialist shortages require both the recruitment of qualified professionals and increased investment in the training of Jamaican specialists,” it added.