Technical experts tasked with the job of assessing the working options most suited to complete renovation works at the St Jude Hospital have determined the best option would be to resume construction on the original site.
According to government sources, two reviews from separate entities have arrived at similar conclusions. The reports states, “Resuming construction on the original construction site [Phase I] remains the best option for the patients, hospital workers and Saint Lucia”.
Reports further indicate the recommendations submitted by the Ministry of Economic Development and an independent committee found that the most prudent options to complete works at the site, would be to proceed with construction on the original buildings.
Last week, Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre addressed the gathering at a New York area town hall event to apprise persons of the works to commence on the St. Jude Hospital construction project, this November.
“Given the logistical challenges of finishing the construction of the top floor of the facility while the ground floor operates like a functional hospital, it is considered that the pursuit of the ground floor approach may not be the most prudent ,” Pierre told the gathering.
Providing an update of the committee’s report, the prime minister disclosed: “It is evident from the financing that was secured and accessible up to August 2016, the level of construction of the St Jude Hospital Phase I, the procurement schedule and the planned delivery of outstanding material and the availability on island on FF&E and services already paid for in full, the schedule commissioning of the facility by September 2017 was achievable.”
Furthermore, he reported, the committee deduced that “currently, there is no programme for completion of any part of Phase II… to facilitate the transfer of the operations of St Jude Hospital from the stadium (GOS) into part or any lower level of Phase II.”
It has been reported that the ‘expendable’ cost factor borne by the government, tax payers, and citizenry, is in excess of more than $100 million.