Multimillion upgrade for Chapelton Hospital

Major work is set to commence in early January, on the Clarendon-based Chapelton Community Hospital, following a $112-million contract signing for phase two of the upgrading and expansion project.

The contract was signed on Tuesday by the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), and Cenitech Engineering Company, at the SRHA's head office in Mandeville, Manchester. Member of Parliament for North Central Clarendon, Robert Morgan, said residents of the communities served by the hospital are eager for its full reopening.

He told the ceremony that the facility is an "essential aspect of the community," and the upgrading will "add significant benefits to the community," Morgan said, adding that with the excitement of getting back their hospital, he doesn't expect any challenge with the work project, although he will play a role in ensuring that it runs smoothly.

Regional Director with the SRHA, Michael Bent, told the ceremony that by the middle of next year, the hospital is expected to be recommissioned into service, noting that the residents have been waiting for the work to be completed.

Phase one of the upgrading work was financed by Beverly Nichols, a native of the district of Blackwoods, who currently resides in the US, she is donating US$1 million for the project through her Push Start Foundation.

Work included removal of wooden structures; expansion of the waiting area; and construction of a new operating theatre and laboratory.

Communities served by the hospital include Mullett Hall, Summerfield, Crawl River and Pennants. The phase two project is funded by the National Health Fund and the Chase Fund.