New kitchen facility opened at Psychiatric Hospital

“Within two weeks or less, the new kitchen facility will be fully operational and this I am sure will be a welcome relief for the staff who have exhibited a high level of patience and endurance.” 

 

These were the comments made by Minister of Health, Hon. John Boyce during the feature address of the presentation of keys of the newly renovated kitchen at the Psychiatric Hospital. 

 

Hospital Director (Ag.) David Leacock received the keys from Project Consultant, Dr. Winston Harvey to the ultra modern kitchen. The presentation was held in the Nurse Lounge of the medical facility yesterday.

 

Project Consultant, Dr. Winston Harvey and Managing Director of Unique Designs, Walter Trotman took the special invited guests from the Ministry, cook staff of Psychiatric Hospital, architects and service providers on the tour of state-of-the-art facility. The facility which is located on the Western side of the hospital featured staff changing rooms,  stainless steel furnishings, hand washing facilities and appliances, a bakery, Alto-Shaam touch screen combi ovens and walk-in chillers. 

 

Other features of the kitchen included seamless, tile-less floors, individual fish, meat and vegetable preparation rooms, commercial air curtains, large self contained kettles,  a supervisor station and foot baths for staff to sanitise their foot wear and kitchen trolleys.

 

Dr. Harvey said that the design of the kitchen have several sanitary measures to prevent incidences of cross-contamination and maintain a bacteria and pest free facility. 

 

Minister Boyce explained during his feature address that the renovations were long over due as the previous kitchen had poor drainage, in need of re-tiling, a worn roof structure, poor ventilation, limited space, a general poor layout and inadequate hot water supply. 

 

During his address, Minister Boyce made a brief report on the current patient population within the facility and the fact that there are more people utilising the mental health services externally (polyclinics) which reduces patient stigma and discrimination.  He said over the years, there has been a reduction in the number of existing patients from 640 to 510 patients.    He further added that there are mental health patients who have used the community based care facilities but they have not visited the Psychiatric Hospital. 

 

“There is evidence that community based care is cost effective, reduces stigma and encourages greater access,” said Minister Boyce.

 

On October 10, The Ministry of Health will join the World Federation for Mental Health as they recognise World Mental Health Day under the theme of “Dignity in Mental Health, Psychological and Mental Health, First Aid for All”.