News

PROPOSED EXPANSION OF MANDEVILLE REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Published

9 years ago

December 31, 2014

KINGSTON, Dec. 29 (JIS):(BY: DOUGLAS McINTOSH) The management of Mandeville Regional Hospital, in Manchester, has secured an additional four acres of land, which will form part of its strategic plan to further develop and expand the institution’s facilities and services.

The property, which is adjacent to the hospital on Caledonia Road in Mandeville, was acquired from the previous owner, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hospital, Alwyn Miller, tells JIS News that consideration is being given to relocating the outpatient department, which is earmarked for expansion.

He informs that the department, which provides pharmaceutical and laboratory services, has “outgrown” the area it currently occupies, resulting in the staff being “overwhelmed (by) the volume of persons using these facilities.”

This situation, he points out, makes it “more challenging for them to manage (the significant number of clients seen) within that space.”

Mr. Miller says the proposed upgraded laboratory is highly anticipated in light of the fact that “there are some services required in the Manchester and wider Southern Health Region that we have to get done as far (away) as Cornwall Regional Hospital (in Montego Bay)”, which incur significant costs.

He notes that the entire Southern Region (residents and other medical institutions) will benefit from having a regional laboratory at the hospital.

Additionally, the CEO says that for “security reasons,” the management also wants to separate outpatient from inpatient services, “to be better able to monitor and manage all visitors to the hospital.”

Mr. Miller tells JIS News that acquisition of the property will also provide the hospital’s management with the opportunity to explore development and installation of several additional cost effective features, capable of enhancing the institution’s operations.

These, he informs, include installation of additional water storage tanks and rainwater harvesting facilities to assist in maintaining consistent supplies at the institution, particularly during periods of restriction or disruption.

“One of the concerns we have always had is that while we do have our storage facility here, the hospital’s consumption rate has grown since the facility was established, and it can no longer store sufficient water for us beyond, maybe, a few days,” Mr. Miller points out.

“Additionally, it is always a bit disconcerting in times of severe weather, for example, when the National Water Commission (NWC) may be affected by flooding…and damage to its pumps, and we have no water in Mandeville. So, we want additional storage space to harvest water from rainfall,” the CEO adds.

Mr. Miller says the management is also hopeful that these projects will be complemented by the installation of eco-friendly renewable energy facilities, such as solar or wind, “to support the energy needs of the hospital.”

“We are hoping that in the 2015/16 budget year, we will be able to get the funding to secure the necessary technical services to help us in the developmental stage,” he tells JIS News.

Built in 1877, the Mandeville Regional Hospital is a Type B institution, which caters to just over 1,000 clients daily.

The institution, which is administered by the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), was initially called the Mandeville Public Hospital. It was renamed in 2001. The facility has undergone significant infrastructural upgrading and service expansion over the years, totaling in excess of $700 million.

The most recent was the completion of five major projects during 2013/14 at a cost of approximately $105 million, with financing from the National Health Fund (NHF).

These included: renovation and other supporting infrastructure works on four operating theatres; installation of new chillers and supporting air conditioning systems; procurement of food trolleys and meal wares; procurement, installation and commissioning of an X-ray machine; and renovation of Block H, which houses the internal medicine, paediatric and postnatal wards.

They were symbolically handed over to the hospital’s management by Health Minister, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, and according to Mr. Miller, are expected to expand the hospital’s bed complement to approximately 230.

Implementation of the projects and the development being proposed for the hospital are consistent with the Government’s Human Capital Development priority, focusing on development and strengthening of health care.
Emphasising that the Mandeville Regional Hospital “must” be transformed into a Centre of Excellence, Dr. Ferguson assured that “the Ministry will continue to allocate resources to improve the quality (of the) infrastructure, even as we improve the manpower needs for the institution.”

Related Topics:Alwyn Miller manchester Mandeville Regional Hospital

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InvestTCI facilitates the Development Agreement Between TCIG and Molo Hotel Group

Published

4 days ago

May 14, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.

Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.

Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.

Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.

Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.

The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.

Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”

He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”

Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion

Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.

Crime

Male Charged with Robbery

Published

6 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.

The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:

One Count: Robbery
One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear

Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.

The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.

Crime

Dock Yard Male Charged

Published

6 days ago

May 13, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.

The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05^th, 2024.

Mr. SIMON faces the following charges: 

One Count: Robbery;
One Count: Gang Membership
One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.

The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.

Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02^nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.