GIVEN the current condition of the Diamond Regional Hospital, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings has disclosed that the hospital ought to be remodelled so as to create more wards and make the institution more spacious and conducive for patients and doctors. This was announced following an inspection of the hospital by the minister along with a technical team from the Ministry of Public Health.
According to the minister, the hospital has a wide catchment area and given the current situation at the institution, the staffers have been doing a great job in attending to patients on a day-to-day basis.
However, she highlighted that there are issues with the design of the building and that is a matter which will be looked into as soon as possible. Because of the lack of space, she added, doctors and nurses don’t have a proper lunch room and the number of wards is inadequate.
The inadequate space also resulted in staffers having poor washroom facilities and also an inefficient electrical system, which contributed to the hospital’s x-ray machine malfunctioning on regular basis.
Another major issue affecting the hospital is the absence of a chief executive officer (CEO) or a doctor in charge. This she noted will be addressed immediately so that the staffers would have someone to guide them and ensure that all their needs are fulfilled.
Additionally, while there might be adequate nurses and doctors, the minister pointed out that there is need for auxiliary staff such as receptionists, clerks and so forth, because the doctors and nurses have to bear these burdens without extra compensation.
Along with those issues, the minister noted that there were other minor technical issues and some procurement issues, but the ministry intends to address these concerns as soon as possible, so that the hospital can provide the quality of service which is expected of it.