Emergency Room Capacity to Expand as JNF Set to Welcome Specialist in June

Basseterre, Saint Kitts, May 20, 2025 (PMO) — In a continued effort to strengthen the healthcare system and improve frontline services for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew has announced that a full-time Emergency Room (ER) Specialist will officially join the Joseph N. France General Hospital team on June 18, 2025. The Prime Minister made the announcement during the May edition of The RoundTable, underscoring the significance of this development as a key step toward enhancing the quality, efficiency, and responsiveness of emergency medical care in the Federation.

“This will ensure that persons coming to the ER are seen in a timely manner, that emergencies are handled with greater skill and speed, and that lives can be saved,” Prime Minister Drew stated. 

He went on to emphasize that access to specialized emergency care has been a critical gap in the national health infrastructure for too long, and the addition of a dedicated ER specialist represents a substantial and timely investment in people-centred care.

The recruitment of the ER specialist is part of a broader and far-reaching health reform agenda being implemented by the Drew-led administration under its Sustainable Island State Agenda. The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the government remains fully on track to begin construction of a brand-new, climate-resilient, state-of-the-art general hospital, an institution that will serve as a flagship centre of excellence in healthcare delivery across the Eastern Caribbean.

Prime Minister Drew also highlighted other ongoing investments that are transforming the health sector in both structure and philosophy. These include advancements in diagnostic imaging, the rollout of a National Health Insurance scheme, the reintroduction of the Associate Degree in Nursing, and a comprehensive research study currently underway to assess and strengthen the national nursing workforce. All of these efforts are aimed at building a healthcare system that is proactive, inclusive, and fully capable of meeting both everyday and emergency needs of the population.

“We are building a future where healthcare is equitable, responsive, and world-class. This is about creating a healthcare environment that places people first, ensures quality and dignity in care, and positions St. Kitts and Nevis as a leader in sustainable, modern health services for generations to come.”