By Rayon Dyer, Gleaner WriterBLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth:
CHIEF OPERATING officer of the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth, Alwyn Miller, said the recently awarded contract valued at $29 million to renovate sections of the facility is a welcome move as it would put the hospital in a better position to serve residents.
Speaking in an interview with The Gleaner this week, Mr. Miller said that the scope of the work to be done includes the renovation of the accident and emergency (A&E) department. He said that the area will be expanded to include an observation bay, a plaster room, a more friendly waiting area and an ambulance bay.
MOVE WELCOMED
"We welcome the move to improve the facility at the hospital at this time because we will be in a better position to better serve the people of this area. Our A&E department has been overwhelmed with attendance and we hope to have that section improved as well," said Mr. Miller.
The Black River facility, which is a type C hospital, has been serving the parish of St. Elizabeth among other areas for many years.
The renovation contract was awarded to W.G. Walters Con-struction Company Ltd. and the work is expected to run over a three-month period.
According to the Chief Operating Officer, the hospital has been responding fairly well to the needs of its patients over the years. He said he has no idea if and when the hospital will be upgraded from a type C facility.
