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2 New Elevators Commissioned Into Service at KPH

By: , July 13, 2015

The Key Point:

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson on Friday (July 10), commissioned into service two new elevators at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), which will significantly impact the quality of care the hospital is able to provide for its patients.
2 New Elevators Commissioned Into Service at KPH
Photo: Michael Shaw
Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson (left), cuts the ribbon to commission into service one of two new elevators at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) on July 10. Others (from 2nd left) are: Director of Nursing Services at the KPH, Joan Walker-Nicholson; Chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), Dr. Andrei Cooke; Senior Medical Officer at KPH, Dr. Natalie Whylie; and Regional Director at SERHA, Maureen Golding.

The Facts

  • Dr. Fenton Ferguson, in his remarks at the commissioning ceremony, hailed the hospital staff and leadership for their patience as the Ministry sought to rectify the situation.
  • The elevators are key in transporting patients to the three upper floors of the hospital, which house the operating theatres and intensive care units, as well as the surgical wards.

The Full Story

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson on Friday (July 10), commissioned into service two new elevators at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), which will significantly impact the quality of care the hospital is able to provide for its patients.

Malfunctioning of elevators at the facility, which is the largest public hospital in the English-speaking Caribbean, has severely hampered surgeries and movement of patients.

Dr. Fenton Ferguson, in his remarks at the commissioning ceremony, hailed the hospital staff and leadership for their patience as the Ministry sought to rectify the situation.

“I think the country is well aware of the issues we had in the past with a number of complaints coming in from our medical staff, so we are very happy to have Elevator 1 and Elevator 3 today,” he said.

One other elevator was commissioned at the KPH in March and work is being done on a fourth. The entire project is being undertaken at a cost of $30 million.

Dr. Ferguson informed that $20 million has been set aside to install elevators at the Spanish Town and National Chest hospitals.

Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at the KPH, Dr. Natalie Whylie, expressed appreciation for the new elevators, saying they have significantly allowed the team to improve the delivery of care and meet the needs of the Jamaican people.

“What this means is that now, we are going to be well on our way to delivering the care that the Jamaican people need. We’ll be able to make significant inroads in terms of waiting time for surgeries, so we are very happy that the Ministry of Health has responded to this situation that was facing the national hospital,” she said.

 

The elevators are key in transporting patients to the three upper floors of the hospital, which house the operating theatres and intensive care units, as well as the surgical wards.

Last Updated: July 13, 2015

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