St Ann’s kitchen closed down

The County Medical Officer (CMO) of Health for St George West has ordered the immediate closure of the kitchen at St Ann’s Hospital because it is unsanitary.

This recommendation follows routine visits by Public Health Inspectors. A source disclosed that PHIs have issued warnings in the past to the administration about the condition of the kitchen. As no action was taken, the CMO Dr Randolph Phillips sent a letter to St Ann’s yesterday ordering the administrator to close the kitchen. The source said a recommendation has been made for complete refurbishment of the area. The vans used to transport food was also deemed unfit due to the presence of bacteria. Officials of the North West Regional Health Authority visited the hospital yesterday to make alternative arrangements for the preparation of food for patients. Refurbishment work was supposed to have taken place “months ago”, but the source said nothing has been done. The cost has been estimated at $2M.