The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE Public Hospitals Authority has acquired Doctors Hospital’s Harborside facility for $29m, securing 46 private bed spaces and a site that will offer urgent care, diagnostic and laboratory services, emergency dialysis, rehabilitation, pharmacy services and clinical training.

The acquisition is intended to expand public healthcare capacity and divert urgent-care patients from Princess Margaret Hospital’s strained emergency services.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said the facility will initially operate as an urgent care centre before becoming fully operational under PHA following renovations and the installation of diagnostic and laboratory equipment.

The urgent care phase of the renovations is expected to cost $215,000. The government has also signed a contract with Inline Project Company to carry out additional upgrades needed to bring the facility in line with PHA’s requirements and the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ long-term plans.

Renovations could begin as early as next week.

“We purchased this from Doctors Hospital for some $29m,” Dr Darville said. “We signed a contract today with Inline. Part of the hospital will go through renovations and upgrades to make sure that it is consistent with the vision that is outlined by the Ministry of Health and the Public Hospitals Authority.”

He said the facility will eventually provide 46 private bed spaces, diagnostic and laboratory services, emergency dialysis, rehabilitation and pharmacy services.

It will also provide training opportunities for nurses, doctors and allied healthcare professionals.

PMH managing director Aubynette Rolle said separating urgent-care patients from people requiring emergency treatment at PMH would allow patients to be treated more efficiently and quickly.

Ms Rolle said the acquisition reflects the government’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure while ensuring facilities are capable of delivering safe, quality care.

The handover ceremony was held yesterday, with Ms Rolle officially transferring the facility to PHA.

Dr Darville said the purchase forms part of the government’s broader healthcare redevelopment strategy, which includes constructing new hospitals and clinics and upgrading existing facilities.

He said Harborside will support efforts to address longstanding challenges at PMH and demonstrate how partnerships between the government and private sector can increase healthcare capacity.

Doctors Hospital chief executive officer Dr Charles Diggis said the transfer continued a long-standing partnership between the private hospital and the government.

Dr Diggis said Doctors Hospital’s involvement with the property began through discussions more than a decade ago. The company purchased the facility in 2017 with the intention of expanding healthcare capacity.

He said transferring the site to PHA reflects Doctors Hospital’s commitment to working with the government to improve access to healthcare throughout The Bahamas.

Dr Diggis said the company remains committed to future healthcare projects and innovation, arguing that cooperation between the public and private sectors is necessary to improve services for Bahamians.

The facility is expected to become fully operational after the renovations and upgrades are completed.