Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:

More than 18,000 babies have been delivered at the The Spanish Town Hospital in St. Catherine over the past three years, making the facility second only to the Victoria Jubilee.

According to David Dobson, chief executive officer at the Spanish Town Hospital, many persons are flocking the Old Capital to have their babies delivered at the modern facilities which were built in 1988 with 90 beds.

He told The Gleaner that it has recently become a challenge for staff at the maternity ward to properly cater to patients.

Mr. Dobson said that, at this time of year, there is a boom where babies are born more than any other time of year. He said the facility is working to deal with the problem of overcrowding.

He was speaking against the background of 'patient doubling' (two mothers on one bed) in the post-natal area after having babies. To this end he said there are plans afoot to enclose an area that is now being used as a veranda and which can house another 15 beds.

Meanwhile he also noted that the $58 million expansion of the accident and emergency section of the hospital is lagging behind with only 67 per cent completion. The facility, which was expected to be completed in September, is still being worked on.