SRHA Pathologist concerned about relocation from Cornwall Regional Hospital

The relocation of services from the main building at Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James due to air quality problems is causing concern for  the Pathologist for the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), Dr. Collette Hall.

The pathology lab for the SRHA is located at the hospital.

According to Dr. Hall, some of the equipment used by the lab are on the main building which staff have difficulty accessing.

Speaking with RJR News yesterday, she said that with the lab located outside of the SRHA, it has meant a slow turnaround time for results.

She says with preparations now being made to relocate the lab and equipment due to the poor air quality at Cornwall Regional, it will result in an even slower turnaround time for results for the region.

“Everybody is aware of the situation at the hospital, so it is even more urgent that the Pathologists be relocated because it is affecting the laboratory staff and out ability to produce results….” 

Dr. Hall further outlined the challenges being experienced by the Southern Regional Health Authority with its pathology lab based in St. James.

“Specimens have to be transported to Cornwall Regional from the Southern Region. That limits the number of specimens that we can process. We are also located in another hospital’s lab. That limits the staff and the hours needed to do our work,”she said. 

Meanwhile, the Southern Regional Health Authority Pathology Lab Committee is appealing for assistance to complete the lab in Mandeville.

It is being constructed on lands adjacent to the Mandeville Regional Hospital.

Chairman of the Committee, Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Hopeton Falconer, says the facility is about 65 percent completed.

“Although the structure is in place, there is infrastructural work that needs to be done such as cooling, ventilation and electricity to facilitate a lab of this nature. So we are in need of funds to continue the work to finish the building. We hope to do this by the end of the year and we have to fast track this based on what is happening at Cornwall Regional,” he said.  

The lab is the brainchild of the Lions Club of Mandeville.