Angelo Laurence, Sunday Gleaner Writer

The ultra modern Mandeville Regional Hospital under construction in 1999.

Manchester, MANDEVILLE:

The Mandeville Regional Hospital, once rocked by controversies over its ability to deliver appropriate medical care to the residents of the region and in particular those in Manchester, is slowly becoming the institution of choice for medical care.

When The Sunday Gleaner visited the hospital last week, approximately 100 persons were in the lobby awaiting medical attention, some saying they were there from as early as 7 a.m. Those who spoke with this reporter said they were on the whole satisfied with the quality of medical attention they have received, although they complained that the service was slow. They were also perturbed that some personnel, including nurses, were less than respectful at times, while lauding the doctors as being very considerate.

The hospital, which was refurbished at a cost of over $350 million more than three years ago, continues to suffer from a lack of adequate supplies, reliable working ambulances and drugs for the pharmacy, according to a number of employees who asked not to be named.

While Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Paulette Elliot would not comment on the status of the hospital, Senior Medical Officer, Dr. Peter Wellington said "things are not perfect" but they were at the best level ever in the life of the hospital. He said the dramatic improvement in the delivery of service is due mostly to "the responsiveness" of the board of management headed by Mrs. Faye Bell and the CEO Mrs. Elliot.

Dr. Ellington said, however, that the hospital is "constrained" by inadequate funding from Govern-ment and its inability to keep its brightest nurses - who are recruited with more attractive wage packages - by North American institutions. He said this situation is further compounded by nurses who reach or opt for retirement before qualified replacements are in place.

On the question of the availability of medical equipment, Ellington said he was not aware of any serious problems, pointing out that some services are outsourced, as it is more effective to do so.

Except for a section of the roof, which was damaged during Hurricane Ivan, the areas of the hospital, which were accessible to The Sunday Gleaner, were in very clean condition with garbage containers in strategic locations. The grounds were well manicured and free of any sign of garbage.