NEW GENERAL HOSPITAL READY TO SERVE PUBLIC

Director of Hospital Services, Dexter James, says structures are in place for the commissioning of phase one of  the New (refurbished) General Hospital today (Thursday). He told reporters at a news conference which was held at the Ministerial Complex building in the Botanical Gardens Tuesday, that they are expecting a smooth transition into the new building. The first phase of the New Hospital was scheduled to be commissioned in December last year.

However issues involving the Operating Theaters, and the Laundry Services, as well as staffing, forced health officials to postpone the commissioning until the ending of January. James disclosed that these concerns have been addressed,  with the Operating Theaters (now) up and running about three weeks ago. He said that in respect of the Laundry,  what they had done is to engage a private provider to deal with some of the items that are being used at the new facility.

The private provider is presently providing services for sheets, pillow cases and towels, which are received and delivered twice per day. The Director of Hospital Services indicated that the arrangement is working quite smoothly so far, while efforts are being made to decompress activities at the old Laundry.

He said that preliminary drawings are being prepared by a team of Cuban designers, for the construction of a new  Laundry at Mt. Gay which will likely to be approved within the next two weeks. Another issue which came up at the news conference had to deal with staffing. James indicated that although there is not a shortage of staff, the lay out of the facility is quite different to the old building. He was responding to a question raised at the news conference about a complaint made by a relative of a patient who was not served breakfast up to about 2:00 p.m. last Sunday afternoon.

James admitted however that the Hospital can do with more help particularly in the nursing support structure. According to the Director of Hospital Services, there is no cause for concern  as it relates to maintenance of equipment. He spoke of an increased number of skilled persons being placed on staff to deal with the technology at the New General Hospital.

As it relates to the Elevator services a Cuban specialist is in place to service the system until a permanent replacement is found. James expressed confidence that the facility can run for a period of one year without any major problems being experienced.

On Saturday of this week the Hospital will launch its Customer Survey programme that will poll a number of areas including hygiene, food, nursing support, among other services offered at the facility to determine if they are properly delivered. The commissioning ceremony is scheduled to take place in the small Car Park outside the main entrance of the new building at 4:30 p.m. As a result there will be a change in the scheduled time for visitation on Thursday.

Persons will be allowed in from 11 a.m. to 12 noon while afternoon visitations and access to the wards are canceled for that day only.