Land Identified in Bernard Lodge for New Portmore Hospital

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Government has officially identified land in the Bernard Lodge area for the construction of a new hospital to serve the rapidly growing population of Portmore. Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, made the announcement while addressing the monthly meeting of the St Catherine Chamber of Commerce in Spanish Town on Wednesday.

Dr. Tufton revealed that a feasibility study is currently underway to determine the structure and format of the medical facility. He emphasized that the project aligns with the Administration’s broader vision for the area, which includes a strategic development plan for expanding communities.

The decision to build the new hospital comes in response to significant population growth in St Catherine, particularly in Portmore and surrounding areas. According to Dr. Tufton, the Government is not only considering current expansion but also preparing for future increases due to ongoing and planned housing developments.

“From a population standpoint, from the development of housing—whether houses that have been built, are being built, or are to be built—we’re talking about thousands and thousands [of people],” he said.

He pointed out that Bernard Lodge alone accounts for nearly 15,000 new homes. With an average of three to four residents per household, this represents a substantial population increase requiring enhanced healthcare infrastructure.

Dr. Tufton highlighted that the influx of residents has placed increased demand on the Spanish Town Hospital, which is currently undergoing a $5.5 billion expansion. The number of patients seeking care at the facility has risen from 39,000 to approximately 45,000 in 2024.

Recognizing this strain, the Government has significantly increased staffing at Spanish Town Hospital. Since 2016, the number of nurses has grown from 223 to 489, while the number of doctors has more than doubled from 83 to 194.

Despite these improvements, Dr. Tufton acknowledged the need for further expansion and infrastructure development to meet the growing demand for healthcare services.

The minister stressed that the Government is committed to addressing the healthcare needs of the expanding population. “The population is expanding, and the demand is expanding, but we have a plan to try and address what we have seen as the forecasting of what is to come, based on the expansions that are taking place,” he said.

The Portmore hospital project is expected to play a critical role in alleviating pressure on existing facilities and ensuring quality healthcare for residents in the region. As the feasibility study progresses, further details regarding the hospital’s capacity, timeline, and specific services will be announced.

With St Catherine experiencing rapid urbanization, the new hospital at Bernard Lodge represents a significant step toward ensuring adequate healthcare access for its residents in the years to come.