To mark its 240th-anniversary celebration the Kingston Public Hospital opened the newly renovated William Ward which has a bed capacity of twenty – eight (28). Two additional Wards namely Luke and Steventon were also renovated as part of a project which cost a total of fifty-nine ($59) million dollars. Speaking at the official launch of 240th anniversary celebration and the reopening ceremony held on Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at the Kingston Public Hospital, North Street Minister of Health, Hon. Horace Dalley said this renovation and additional bed space is in keeping with the new thrust for the health sector for the new financial year.
“I am aware of the need for additional beds in our health facilities and for today to reopen the newly renovated William Ward with an additional 28-bed space is a great achievement,” he said.
“After speaking with the Board Chairmen of the Regions I was told that every single bed in our public health facilities is occupied and I am aware of the stress this causes our medical team to admit patients. I am making the commitment that in the next financial year, we will start the preparation and planning process for the improvement in the bed capacity starting with some of our major facilities across the island,” he added.
The Kingston Public Hospital which was founded in 1776 currently sees approximately two thousand (2,000) clients per day.
The activities to commemorate Kingston Public Hospital’s 240th anniversary include a Church Service to be held on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at the Kingston Parish Church at 8:00 a.m., health fair, benefits banquet among others.
The National Health Fund and the South East Regional Health Authority provided funding for the Ward renovation project.