The Cornwall Regional Hospital building which has been affected by noxious fumes and other irritant particles, is to be gutted and a deeper repair project undertaken.

The update was given by Health ministry officials today (Apl 6) during a meeting with stakeholders in the sector, including the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ).

NAJ President Carmen Johnson says the ministry pledged to complete the process of relocating patients at Cornwall by this evening.

Some patients are being sent to the quadrant on Cornwall compound, while others are being sent to the Falmouth hospital.

She says the ministry officials also disclosed to stakeholders, the findings of an air quality test.

Meantime, members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) have been assisting in the relocation efforts from the Cornwall hospital to the Falmouth hospital.

Clinical Coordinator at the Cornwall Regional Hospital Dr. Delroy Fray says it is expected that all surgical patients will be moved by this evening.

Dr. Fray adds that the labour ward has been relocated from the fourth floor to the back of the hospital, and antenatal patients who are still recovering will be accommodated in the building now housing the labour ward.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton had indicated that over the course of this weekend, all patients in the main building at Cornwall hospital will be relocated to the quadrant on the compound and to Falmouth.

The relocation follows complaints of adverse effects to fumes and other contaminants at the facility, with staff reporting weakness, shortness of breath and blood pressure problems among other issues.