Gareth Davis, Sunday Gleaner Writer
Portland, PORT ANTONIO:
While several hospitals have come under scrutiny for their inefficiencies and incompetence, the Type C, Port Antonio General Hospital, despite a shortage of staff, is highly regarded for its high-quality service.
The hospital, which is perched on a slope at Naylor's Hill, overlooking the parish capital, provides various services - including X-ray, surgery, gynaecology and paediatric services - to the approximately 80,000 residents of Portland.
In an interview with The Sunday Gleaner, Regional Director Owen Belvitt said that the hospital has always been committed to providing high-quality service to its many patients. He said that although the hospital facility is short-staffed, the willing-ness and determination shown by staff members have accounted for the successes.
"Our patients have not been in a situation where we are unable to provide them basic treatment," he said. "We have installed a vital, essen-tial and necessary (VEN) programme, which forms the core of our pharmaceuticals, and that allows us to secure all pharmaceuticals needed in advance."
RECENTLY RENOVATED
The pharmacy at the hospital was only recently renovated to meet the Pharmacy Council's standards, and its accidents and emergency unit is now separate from its out-patient department, which is
considered a rarity among Type C hospitals.
The regional director pointed out that the hospital has not experienced any shortages of drugs and other pharmaceu-ticals over the past three years, due to the implementation of the VEN programme, which allows the hospital to adequately provide the desired health care to patients.
"Operations at this hospital are smooth, although there is a concern regarding the maternity ward, which seems to have outgrown its space. We might have to consider relocating that particular ward to another section of the building," he added.
An experience gained at the hospital during an 11-day stay as a patient in May is testimony that the facility offers efficient service.
