Falmouth Health Centre to be expanded

Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says the Falmouth Health Centre in Trelawny is to be expanded as part of the ministry's Operation Refresh initiative.

"This facility needs more space. Everybody's just crammed together. The demands [of the facility] have grown and the space has not expanded with it," the minister pointed out, while speaking at a press conference last Friday.

"So, what I envision happening is that we're going to find a way to create more space, which means a design that would see more build-out, which is why I'm saying one of the things we may have to look at is to relocate the administrative block somewhere else," Tufton outlined. The minister said the centre could go up a floor and the administrative block used as more space for clinical services.

"Secondly, it needs a more comfortable wait [area] and what that means; people need to feel cool in their environment - [they need] air conditioning; we have that in other rooms, but not in the waiting area," he noted. Works will also include the installation of solar panels, improvement of the facility's kitchenette, and installation of a water-catchment system. He also indicated that the health centre will be evaluated by the technical team at the Ministry to identify any further needs as part of the improvement efforts. Tufton added that other health centres in the parish are also to benefit from the initiative - Lowe River, Troy and Bounty Hall.

"We are now looking at Wakefield, Duncans and Wait-A-Bit. Also in short order, I'm told we'll be reopening Jackson Town, which has already benefited under the programme. So, there are a number of health centres that are in line to benefit," he added.