MANCHESTER, Jamaica – The Percy Junor Hospital in Manchester is slated to be extensively expanded, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton has announced.

This is in keeping with the Government’s thrust to expand and refurbish public health facilities islandwide.

“There is a plan drawn up that will require further study and assessment, which will see a new outpatient department, physiotherapy suite, maternity ward, expansion of X-ray [facilities] and labs, a paediatric department, expansion of [the] medical records [department] and a baby-friendly designation for 2024… being worked on,” Tufton informed.

He made the announcement while delivering the keynote address during Thursday’s launch of the Compassionate Care Programme at the hospital.

Tufton said while a commencement date for the expansion project is pending, the Ministry and, by extension, the government will be working to conclude all matters relating to the development plan. This, he pointed out, is being prioritised, given the hospital’s location at the intersection of four parishes.

The minister said this makes it more convenient for residents of communities in that vicinity to use that facility, rather than travelling to use those in May Pen, Mandeville or Falmouth.

Meanwhile, Tufton said $3 billion has been spent to renovate, improve and enhance primary healthcare facilities and community-based hospitals. To date, the ministry has spent in excess of $151 million improving health centres across the Southern Regional Health Authority. These improvements include retrofitting the roof at the Mile Gully, Cross Keys, Mandeville, and Harmons health centres.

Tufton said the upgraded facilities not only serve to enhance the work environment for the staff but also encourage patients to visit and get services.

“Next year will see the tangible rollout of our primary healthcare renewal programme. It’s in its final stages and will mean more doctors, nurses and will deal with issues that affect doctors and nurses in rural parts, such as housing,” the minister stated.

Tufton said the Compassionate Care Programme’s implementation at Percy Junor Hospital is intended to enhance client service delivery. He also advised that improvements were made to the Accident and Emergency area, with a $10.7-million provision from the National Health Fund.

The waiting area now has new seating and was tiled and an air-conditioning unit was installed. The nurses’ station, doctors’ office and bathrooms were tiled, with new fixtures installed in the latter while the casualty and records areas were also refurbished; new furniture, including cabinets, was acquired for the staff; and new doors and windows were installed.

There is a new link-way to the emergency area and there are cell-phone charging ports for patients’ use. The ceilings were replaced and new lighting fixtures were installed.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Manchester North East, Audley Shaw, commended the ministry for implementing the Compassionate CARE Programme, describing it as part of the human touch of medical care.

“That part cannot be dealt with in a technical way, but in a compassionate way,” Shaw said.

The Compassionate CARE Programme was launched in 2018 to encourage a patient-centred approach to the care of those who use the public health system. Scores of employees have been trained in customer service delivery, including 122 at the Percy Junor Hospital.