Health Centre Services at Gros Islet to Move Polyclinic

Contact: John Emmanuel

Friday, January 21, 2000 - Health centre functions previously conducted from the old Gros Islet Health centre in Massade are now being carried out at the newly opened Block C of the Gros Islet Polyclinic.

Health Minister the Honourable Sarah Flood-Beaubrun says, although the facility is not fully up and running it offers additional features like dental services and signals a move to better quality health care in the community.

"Now that we have commissioned one of the blocks of the Polyclinic, we look forward - within the next three month as soon as we begin the new financial year - to have human resources so we can make the polyclinic fully operational" said Minister Flood.

She says a vital Accident and Emergency department is also to come on stream in the next financial year. "We think that is very important especially in view of the fact that we have a very heavy population in the north of the island. We know that many of our accidents happen there and the Ministry of Health is very concerned and committed about improving emergency services throughout the island. We have done quite a bit of work at Victoria Hospital to bring it up to the standard that we want and the idea is for us to use that same expertise, protocols and systems to make sure that we have here in Gros Islet a fully operational, 24 hour A&E Department."

The Health Minister together with Parliamentary Representative for the area the Honourable Mario Michel toured the newly opened Block C on Friday, January 21, 2000. Mr. Michel says the centre is being used only after extensive upgrading work. "These buildings were supposed to have been completed about three years ago but they were completed with several structural and other defects which made it impossible for them to be opened. It has taken this long to reorganize, restructure and to correct deficiencies so that we can get the basic operations of the polyclinic on the go."

Mr. Michel says given the fact that Gros Islet remains the fastest growing community on the island and because the northern town continues to be a mecca of touristic activity, use of the new facility will serve as a plus to the community and its environs.

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