For Immediate Release

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

For their annual Christmas visits, Their Excellencies the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen and the Most Honourable Lady Allen visited Port Antonio Hospital on December 15th, and St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital on December 21st.  They were welcomed to the Region by the Deputy Board Chairman, Mr. Dave Morris.  Both hospitals put together a delightful welcoming ceremony for Their Excellencies, which was enjoyed by the Custos Rotulorum Honourable Roy Thompsonand Mrs. Thompson  of Portland and the Custos Rotulorum Honourable Radcliffe Walters and Mrs. Walters of St. Ann, and other local dignitaries and staff.

Port Antonio Hospital boasted that their ceremony was more of a homecoming, as Port Antonio is the birth parish of Sir Allen.  Their Excellencies toured the accident and emergency department, the maternity wards, the children's ward and the medical and surgical wards. after which everyone was welcomed by the CEO, Mrs. Jasmin Ricketts-Campbell and the Senior Medical Officer, Dr. Wendy Allen-Davis.  The group was well entertained by , Psychiatric Aide, Ms. Jean Ellis and the Port Antonio Hospital Singers.  Their Excellencies also imparted gifts which included bed linen, blood pressure machines and a microwave oven, and commemorated their visit by giving two beautiful commemorative inscriptions.  In Sir Allen’s remarks, the line that stood out was when he said, “The health of the parish is the wealth of the parish”.

St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital’s Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Peter Glegg, welcomed “the” Governor General, by emphasizing that he is “our” Governor General, and proceeded to refer to him in that fashion for the remainder of the ceremony.  Their Excellencies toured the Paediatric Ward, Maternity Ward, Female Surgery and High Dependency Unit.  Their Excellencies were particularly impressed with the Paediatric Ward and Sir Allen highly commended the staff.

After the tour, Their Excellencies were welcomed by the CEO, Mr. Keith Richards, who added that “This is also a season of reflection and introspection” and proceeded to share “a few life lessons to be learned from Noah’s Ark” which included:
“1. Don’t miss the boat
2. Don’t forget that we’re all in the same boat
3.Plan ahead, it wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark
12. No matter the storm, when you're with God there's a rainbow waiting.”

An overview of the hospital was given by Senior Medical Officer, Dr. Nicole Dawkins. Everyone was entertained by, not only the delightful Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Glegg, but Porter, Mrs. Glenna Currie-Friggnette and four members of the 200-Voice Children’s Choir.

Their Excellencies were the bearers of gifts to the hospital, which included  ten (10) Sphygmomanometers and three thousand (3,000) non-sterile gloves.  Their Excellencies memorialized their visit by giving a commemorative inscription which was received by the CEO and the Senior Medical Officer.   
Refreshments were served after both hospital visits, when staff were able to meet and greet Their Excellencies, and take a few pictures.

Contact:
Michaelaine Lee
Public Relations & Advocacy Officer
North East Regional Health Authority
872-0506 - Cell/ 795-0102 – Office
Michaelaine.lee@nehra.gov.jm