St Catherine residents are being advised that the Spanish Town Hospital (STH) has entered emergency mode due to severe flooding in the accident and emergency (A&E) department.

Errol Greene, regional director of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), says this is a result of severe runoff from Burke Road due to the heavy rainfalls in the parish, requiring the staff of STH to temporarily relocate its patients to other wards.

“We are working with the National Works Agency (NWA) to clear the drainage that has caused the flooding as soon as possible,” said Greene. 

A tropical wave moved across the country on Friday, July 5, through Saturday, bringing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

“We have moved to ensure that A&E services continue uninterrupted. This essential service has been preserved by relocation to the physiotherapy department and reverting hospital operations to emergency mode until further notice,” said Dr Jacqueline Wright-James, senior medical officer at STH.

The management of SERHA is asking for the public’s patience and cooperation while they work to alleviate the situation at STH.