Fabian Brown (left), executive director of the St. Joseph's Hospital in Kingston, and Sister Sonia Chung, director of nursing, discuss the contents of a book. Sister Chung and her team of nurses are doing an impressive job caring for patients at the hospital. - Contributed

It is a well-known fact that Jamaican nurses are among the best in the world, whether they are employed locally or overseas, or in public or private medical facilities.

The St. Joseph's Hospital on Deanery Road in Kingston is one those institutions with an efficient, well trained and talented team of nursing professionals who make a difference in the lives of every patient.

Nursing Director, Sister Sonia Chung, says nurses at St. Joseph's are geared up every day to meet the physical, psychological and social needs of patients. "For us, it's not only about administering medication and being in the emergency room or operating theatre, it's about ensuring that our patients are comfortable, to be sensitive to their different situations and to respond accordingly," said Sis. Chung.

Go the extra mile

The cadre of registered nurses, practical nurses and professionals in the intensive care unit go the extra mile, and over the years the hospital has become renowned for high nursing care standards.

"The services we offer at St. Joseph's are multifaceted and as such our nursing team has to adjust accordingly. For example, we are the first private hospital to establish a Haemodialysis Unit and to officially open a wellness centre. This centre features a gymnasium, and a health food café operated by Country Farm House & Soy Products Limited. We are glad that we can refer patients and guests of the hospital to this facility."

Sis. Sonia said the hospital has recognised the importance of educating persons about the need to take care of their bodies and general well-being in order to live a longer, more productive life. She explained that St. Joseph's is not just in the business of restorative health care, but also preventative health care.

Outreach programmes

The nurses are also engaged in the hospital's outreach programmes by providing care for underprivileged patients who are assisted with major surgeries twice every year. They also care for patients in the Food For the Poor clinic, which is located on the grounds of the hospital.

Another area of focus for the nursing team is care for the elderly. "Our team of practical nurses is well trained to provide expert and professional treatment for our elderly patients in the Pines of St. Joseph's, which is a residential facility at the hospital.

Again, this is another unique service provided by St. Joseph's - and our nurses have responded admirably," said the nursing director.