Ministry of Health

Health Sector Reform Programme of Trinidad & Tobago
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South West Regional Health Authority

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Patient Services Output

Outpatient Services – 411,000
In-Patient Services – 228,000
A&E Visits – 140,000
Surgical Procedures – 10,000
Diagnostic & Therapeutic Procedures – 1,520,000
Total – 2,309,000

Institutions of the South-West Region

G.H.S.F.
A.H.P.F.
D.H.F. – Couva
ECC – Point Fortin
ECC – Couva
33 Health Centres:

SWRHA Fact Sheet

The Regional Health Authority was created by an Act of Parliament in 1994 as part of Government’s efforts through the Health Sector Reform Programme to decentralise the management and provision of Health Care in Trinidad and Tobago.
Presently there are 4 RHAs – North West, South-West, Eastern and Tobago. As a creature of statute, SWRHA is governed by a non-executive Chairman and Board of Directors.
The present Board of SWRHA, was appointed by the President of the Republic on August 20th, 1999 and comprises the following:-

Chairman:                     Mr. Ronnie Bissessar, Attorney at law
Deputy Chairman:          Mr. Rodney Charles
                                    Dr. Sheikh Mohammed
                                    Dr. Clyde Mohess
                                    Mrs. Wendy Kalicharan
                                    Mrs. Bernice Avis-Parris
                                    Rev. Harold Sitahal
                                    Mr. Ramey Maraj
                                    Mr. Horace Mahara

The Executive Management Team is headed by Mr. Trevor Hewitt as Chief Executive Officer.
The SWRHA is responsible for the administration and management of the San Fernando General Hospital, Area Hospital Point Fortin, the Princes Town District Health Facility, Couva District Health Facility and 33 Health Centres scattered throughout the region.
SWRHA’s boundaries cover more than one third of the land surface of Trinidad, extending from Couva in the North to Icacos in the South West, Moruga in the South East and Tabaquite in the North West. 
The population in this region is approximately five hundred thousand.
Since its birth in 1995, the South-West Regional Health Authority has been in the forefront of innovation and development in the health services of Trinidad and Tobago, daily endeavouring to be true to its motto: “Your Partners in Health”. Throughout this time, but perhaps more so in the quality and environment of care both for those who utilise and supply services at our facilities. This is consonant with our vision of being a dynamic, people-focused, quality driven health care organisation providing comprehensive health care in a safe and healthy environment. 
Indeed, we can say with certainty, that the tide of neglect, which previously plagued health facilities in the South-West region, has been turned into a new vision for health care. We are proud of our achievements thus far. We know that there is still a lot to do and therefore we promise, that given the necessary resources and time, we will continue to strive forward, ever mindful of our mandate to provide you with the best health care possible.

Listed below are just some of our achievements and some of the areas where we know we still have work to do.

Emergency Services

  • Commissioned new and vastly improved Accident & Emergency Department at General Hospital San Fernando.

  • Established dedicated X-Ray Unit for A&E Department

  • Established dedicated Surgery Unit for A&E Department

  • Introduced Priority Emergency Asthma Care with eight modernised nebulisation units inclusive of specialised seating

  • Introduced state-of-the-art Orthopaedic care and Plaster Room which allows for immediate assessment and treatment

  • Launched Mobile Emergency Services throughout South-West Region – more than 3000 patients transported already

  • Trained over 100 Emergency Medical Technicians to operate modern fully outfitted Ambulance Fleet

  • Completed installation of a new Helipad

Community Services

  • Refurbished Ste. Madeleine Health Centre and introduced full-time Primary Care Medical Services

  • Established a Community-Partnered Management arrangement for Ste. Madeleine Health Centre

  • Established full-time walk-in Minor Emergency care at Pleasantville Health Centre

  • Introduced extended hour, walk-in clinics at Penal Health Centre which have resulted in a 300% increase in the number of clients served and a 50% reduction in the number of clients having to travel to General Hospital San Fernando from this area

  • Established a Community-Partnered Ambulance Service for the Cedros Community

  • Commenced works for the construction of four new Health Centres and upgrade of three others

  • Commencement of works for the construction of new District Health Facility in Princes Town

San Fernando General Hospital

  • Refurbished new 40-bed Paediatric In-patient Unit with children’s play area

  • Established new 22-bed Orthopaedic Ward dedicated to the care of females

  • Commissioned new 22-bed Psychiatric Unit

  • Commissioned new regionally integrated Centralised Sterile Services Department (CSSD)

  • Successfully completed two ISO 9000 Internal Quality Audits

  • Commissioned six new Theatre Surgical Suites resulting in increased surgical throughput and efficiency gains of 25%

  • Commissioned new state of the art Ultrasound equipment and expanded range of services available

  • Refurbished and equipped Doctors’ Lounge

  • Repainted outer façade of Hospital in partnership with private sector

  • Established new Urology Ward

Area Hospital Point Fortin

  • Re-established dedicated Radiology Services

  • Upgraded Accident & Emergency Services

  • Expanded Obstetrics & Gynaecology Services

Human Resource Developments

  • Hosted first ever Long Service Award for 250 employees in the South-West Region

  • Hosted Strategic Visioning Workshop with approximately 300 employees to establish a collective vision for Region

  • Established a region-wide Health Care Volunteer Service (over 10,000 man hours of volunteer service already received)

  • Provided Computer Literacy training for Public Health Inspectors

  • Provided modern equipment and specialised training in food monitoring for Public Health Inspectors

  • Provided training in Trauma Care for Nurses

  • Provided Training in Advanced Trauma Life Support for Doctors

  • Provided other forms of specialised training for approximately 100 Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nursing Assistants

Ongoing Activities for 2000

  • Commissioning of 81-bed surgical suite at new extension of San Fernando General Hospital

  • Establishment of dedicated Neonatology Unit and Obstetric Theatre to reduce perinatal mortality rate

  • Commissioning of dedicated Urology Theatre

  • Replacement of all four elevators

  • Refurbishment and upgrade of all wards at General Hospital San Fernando

  • Construct and equip new Area Hospital Point Fortin

  • Introduction of Specialist Urology and Ante-Natal Care Clinics at selected Health Centres

 

South-West Regional Health Authority
Regional Administration Centre
“On the Hill”
Paradise Pastures
Independence Avenue
San Fernando

swrha@tstt.net.tt

652-6810, 657-4056, 678-9718
Fax: 657-4056

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