Chapelton Community Hospital reopens after years of renovation
Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today
The Chapelton Community Hospital in Clarendon was reopened on Tuesday (December 6) after undergoing renovation and expansion in 2019.
Robert Morgan, the member of parliament for Clarendon North Central, said: “This facility will provide world-class health service with improved access to services and reduced travel time for residents who seek healthcare in the parish.”
During the period of closure, patients were transferred to the May Pen Hospital to access treatment while residents of communities such as Chapelton, Pennants, Crooked River, Frankfield and other neighbouring districts had to seek healthcare at the Summerfield Health Centre.
“The reopening of the Chapelton Hospital is good for the nearby communities because we will benefit greatly from the hospital services.”
Lloyd Barnett, resident
Patrice Edwards, a resident of the Summerfield community, said: “The reopening of the hospital is very good for us because we have to go to Summerfield Health Centre, that’s where we have to go when the hospital was not in use in Chapelton. It was so horrible and hard out there, so we are so grateful for the hospital that is open now.”
Lloyd Barnett, another resident, said: “The reopening of the Chapelton Hospital is good for the nearby communities because we will benefit greatly from the hospital services. Before the renovation we had to make our way to the May Pen Hospital or the Summerfield health centre to access healthcare … so it will really lessen the distance we have to travel.”
NEW WARD ALSO CONSTRUCTED
The renovation of the hospital was funded by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, Push Start Foundation and the National Health Fund at a cost of $309 million. A new ward was also constructed that will hold a maximum of 22 beds.
Among the list of persons who were in attendance for the reopening of the hospital was Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton, Winston Maragh, mayor of May Pen, and Pearnel Charles Sr, former member of parliament for Clarendon North Central.
Comments