It is with this in mind that Fabian Brown has embarked on a mission geared at continuing the redevelopment of the 89-year-old facility.Among the new initiatives are the St Joseph's Wellness Centre, and a skilled nursing and care unit. These new thrusts are in keeping with the hospital's plan to not only meet the society's healthcare needs, but also its social needs. it is from this commitment to service that the wellness centre and the skills unit were developed.

Wellness Centre and Skills Unit 

The Wellness Centre is aimed at creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It does this through a series of programmes, including, but not limited to, weight management, nutrition consulting, body sculpting, strength and weight training. the service is accessible to the public at a reasonable cost of $2,500 per month or $18,000 per year. Special packages are also available.

The Wellness Centre, therefore, concentrates on the total well-being of the individual with its holistic approach to healthcare and lifestyle management.

The skilled nursing and care unit is the first of its kind in Jamaica to be established in a hospital. the facility serves as transitional care bewteen acute care (for facility or others) and discharge home, with special emphasis on rehabilitation,, which focuses on the skills the patients nedd to return home. This type of health care focuses on the functional side of the rehabilitation: the performance of the activities of daily living, which includes self-care, the development of prevocational skills work hardening and cognitive rehabilitation. Along with physical therapy and a speech and language pathologist, the care of patients is comprehensive.

Pines of St Joseph's

As a healing ministry of the Catholic Church, the St Joseph's Hospital is getting more involved in geriatric care. To that end, there are several outpatient programmes that serve the surrounding communites and its environs.

These include:

• A Wound Care Centre, in partnership with Gentell Products of Pennsylvania.
• Our Lady of the Poor Clinic, in partnership with Food for the Poor.

According to Mr Brown, the redevelopment will continue in 2005. "I am encouraged by the achievements to date, despite the financial challenges. But with a dedicated team and the support of partners, I'm optimistic about the future," the executive director said.

The redevelopment has been facilitated in large measure, due to the kind support of a number of local and international partners, including Notre Dame University, Catholic Health Care Partners, Food for the Poor, Catholic Relief Services, Marian Centre for Breast Disease, Bridgeport Hospital, Hotel Dieu in Kingston Ontario, the Board and the friends of the hospital.

St Joseph's Hospital is Jamaoca's first private hospital - which was built in 1916 - and is regionally renowned for its suites of five operating rooms.

- February 2005