117 dialysis patients at CRH relocated

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

Head of Clinical Operations at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James Dr Delroy Fray says the institution's 117 dialysis patients have been relocated to three private facilities in Montego Bay as the authorities move to correct air quality issues at the health facility.

Fray says the renal unit is to be moved to a new facility at the back of the hospital with renovations expected to be completed in two weeks.

He was speaking with The Gleaner on Wednesday following the evacuation of the renal unit after reports surfaced last week that at least one nurse was seen coughing up blood while attending to patients.

Fray said measures will be put in place at the new facility to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

“it is far from the main building so there is no air quality issue. I don't think there is a question of staff being exposed to where we are gonna [put the new unit]. There is no question about that” he said.

The Mount Salem-based Type A hospital has been plagued by complaints about air quality issues which have affected staff and patients and as a result several services have been relocated.

Fray said the radiation and morgue units are the only facilities which remain operational at the 10-storey hospital.

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