Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has announced that the Falmouth Regional Hospital in Trelawny will be relocated inland as part of a major reorganisation of the town aimed at reducing its vulnerability to the intensifying impacts of climate change.

In his contribution to the 2026/27 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday (March 19), Holness indicated that the hospital will be relocated away from the flood zone, with direct access to the North Coast Highway to ensure it remains fully operational when needed most.

He added that lands have already been identified for the new facility, and an announcement regarding its location will be made soon.

Holness noted that the institutions and infrastructure of the low-lying coastal town of Falmouth were not designed to withstand the climate realities now being faced.

He said this led to the flooding of the town, the failure of its drainage infrastructure, and the severing of its road connections during Hurricane Melissa.

The prime minister explained that this resulted in widespread flooding across the town, the collapse of its drainage infrastructure, and the severing of road connections during Hurricane Melissa.

Holness emphasised that Falmouth must undergo a fundamental reorganisation centred on its most critical piece of infrastructure – the drag line. He explained that the drag line – the critical drainage canal running east to west through the town – provides a natural organising boundary.

“Major infrastructure works will be undertaken to clean it and progressively modernise it into a functional water feature that both protects the town and enhances the remarkable Georgian character. But more than that, the drag line will serve as a boundary between two distinct and complementary zones of reimagined Falmouth,” the prime minister outlined.

He explained that north of the drag line, closer to the sea, the focus will be on tourism, heritage, recreation, and coastal protection.

“The magnificent Georgian historic core – the Albert George Market, the Falmouth Courthouse, the Tharpe House Complex, the churches, and the Baptist Manse will all be preserved as far as possible. The cruise port and the waterfront will be enhanced and activated as world-class visitor experiences,” the prime minister informed.

Holness further outlined that south of the drag line, the Government will construct the “resilient civic backbone that Falmouth has never had”.

The prime minister stated that this development will be undertaken by the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA).

Meanwhile, he said a new urban centre will be constructed to modern standards of climate resilience, consolidating critical public services and providing the people of Trelawny with the quality of public facilities they deserve.

“Further south, anchored by the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium at Florence Hall, we will finally deliver on the promise this facility has always held. We will be developing the area into a world-class sports centre for sports training, major events, and sports tourism, while building around it vibrant housing and a commercial nucleus that brings permanent economic life to this corridor,” Holness detailed.

He added that the goal is to establish the Ssadium as the centre of economic activity in sports.