The Slipe Pen Road Comprehensive Health Centre in Kingston will soon benefit from several upgrades under the Government’s $1-billion Operation Refresh programme aimed at improving primary healthcare facilities islandwide.
Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, announced the plans during a tour of the facility on June 12, 2025. Serving approximately 70,000 patients annually, the Centre houses a pharmacy and modern laboratory conducting up to 800 tests daily.
Upgrades will include the addition of a physiotherapy suite, improved air conditioning, enhanced waiting areas, and faster lab result turnaround times through new systems being implemented by the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA).
The Centre, currently open until 8:00 p.m., will extend hours to 10:00 p.m., expanding access and reducing pressure on hospitals like KPH.
Minister Tufton also outlined plans to hire more doctors for rural health centres and grant prescriptive rights to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, aiming to strengthen primary healthcare across the island.
Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (second left), Minister of Health and Wellness, converses with from left Dr. Susan Strachan-Johnson, Senior Medical Officer of Health, Kingston & St. Andrew Health Department, Ms. Lorna Watson, Operations Manager, Kingston & St. Andrew Health Department and Mr. Mark Martin, Parish Manager, Kingston & St. Andrew Health Services during a tour of the facility on June 12, 2025.