Government ensuring that Cornwall Hospital is fully restored, says Chang
MINISTER OF National Security Dr Horace Chang says the Government is making every effort in ensuring that the 400bed Cornwall Regional Hospital is fully rehabilitated.
He said that when completed, the facility, located in St James, will be a genuine teaching hospital with all the required referral services.
The national security minister made the remarks during a press briefing last Friday following a tour of the hospital.
He said tremendous work has already been carried out and the facility is being redesigned in such a way as to ensure that the building is more suitable for the tropical climate.
“The original design of this hospital was never satisfactory. The money has been put in place and the Government has taken steps to ensure the capital is available,” he said.
He noted that Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton is being aided by the United Nations Office for Project Services, and that the Pan American Health Organization is making sure that the project works efficiently and smoothly.
GRADE ‘A’ STATUS
“At the end of the day, we will have a refurbished hospital that will be worthy of the grade ‘A’ status that it has,” he pointed out.
Steps are being implemented to remedy the situation at the Type A facility, which has been beset by air-quality issues.
The Government is spending approximately $2 billion to undertake renovations and repairs.
Other remedial works to take place include repairs to the hospital’s roofing, plumbing and redesign of some floors.
Meanwhile, a part of the Falmouth Hospital has been renovated and the number of operating theatres increased from two to four, and an additional section is being refurbished to accommodate patients who require surgery. The 87-bed facility is being equipped with 55 additional beds.
Chang said the regional staff, along with the health minister, should receive commendation and support for the work they have done to ensure continuity while the hospital is being repaired.
“Winding down a hospital with specialised services is not easy. What we can say today is the work has been done, and we have found space to relocate all the services we would like to relocate,” he said.
He said that while the bed spaces have gone down, the hospital continues to see as many patients as it did before, and already, certain areas of the facility have begun to see improvements.
Tufton said he is hopeful that the rehabilitative work will be completed within the next eight to 12 months, provided there are no further challenges.
“I allow margins of error, because of the nature of the repairs,” he said.
He also said that a mechanical engineering firm has been engaged to rework the designs for the plumbing in the building.
Tufton said the contract for the ventilation system has been signed and the system is being built for installation.