The newly opened University College of the West Indies (UCWI) Hospital will follow a payment model similar to that of Kingston Public Hospital, offering free treatment to indigent patients, however, others will pay based on their income. This approach ensures that medical care remains accessible to all while also serving as a teaching facility for medical students.

Published September 2, 1952

Man breaks neck: first UCWI Hospital patient

The ultra-modern hospital of the University College of the West Indies was opened to the public yesterday morning.

A man arrived ten minutes before the opening to become the first and only patient to be admitted.

Vincent Dixon, 19-year-old mason of Papine, fell off an ackee tree and broke his neck. He was operated on by Dr. B. C. W. Boyd, Dominican-born house officer of the hospital. His condition is considered serious.

In the ward where this patient sleeps in lonely splendour, and in other wards, there are over twenty beds, made up with white quilts with the words “University College Hospital” woven on them.

There are eight wards in the hospital. In each, glass partitions separate every four beds. The wards are airy and cool. In them sit the nurses, waiting for the patients to come in.

As KPH

Mr. O. Carnegie, manager, said the hospital would be run on the same lines as the Kingston Public Hospital, with indigent patients getting free treatment, and others paying according to what they earn.

The hospital is primarily a teaching hospital for the medical students of the University College and will be formally opened shortly.

The chief doctors on the staff are Professor Eric Cruikshank, Professor of Medicine of the University College; and Professor Gerald Hugh Ovens, Professor of Surgery. There are also three part-time consultants: Dr. Dennis Degazon, eyes; Dr. Max Sugar, ears, nose and throat; and Dr. F. W. Jacobsen.

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