Milford Williams, Gleaner Writer
Dionne Francis, director of the St. Joseph's Hospital Wellness Centre.
INSTEAD OF waiting on persons to come in and treat illnesses, St.Joseph's is promoting a proactive approach to health care. Nestled in the east Kingston community of Vineyard Town, this 90-year-old private institution is on a mission to offer the best care possible to Jamaicans and foreigners. The latest result of this is the launch of their wellness and fitness centre.
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH SERVICE
With health care a major issue, the approach taken by St. Joseph's can be seen as unique from that of the typical mainstream health care facility.
"The idea is to create a comprehensive health service here," said hospital's chief executive officer, Fabian Brown. "St. Joseph's is moving toward tendering health care to the body, mind and soul."
He pointed to the presence of a chapel on the premises, operating theatre, and the wellness centre as facilities that they are in place in keeping with that mission.
He pointed out that there is no other hospital in Jamaica offering this package: "We're charting new ground, we're carrying out a revolution in health care."
The wellness centre includes a vegetarian café, Hand's Down salon and spa, and a gym equipped with 29 machines to give a complete workout. In addition to massage, the salon also offers cosmetic care and facial treatments.
According to Dionne Francis, director of the wellness centre, the facilities were first opened in 2003 to cater for the hospital's staff. However, in March 2004, the decision was taken to open it to the wider public.
PATIENTS REFERRED TO CENTRE
She noted that the main idea was to add the centre to the hospital's operations, but it was also seen as a means of generating income.
Patients are sometimes referred to the wellness center for continued rehabilitation, where certified personal trainers assist them.
"All clients are thoroughly screened before starting weight training, everyone must first obtain a (physician's) approval," said gym instructor Christopher King.
"Since general opening, we've had 220 persons registered with us, and right now we are at a peak," said Francis.
AIM FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Mr. Brown noted that although the hospital is a non-profit organisation they have to aim for self-sufficiency.
He said that with the addition of the wellness centre, the hospital has been moving closer to that goal.
The hospital's operations have been maintained largely through private medical consultants, a team of staff and volunteers along with local and international volunteers, all guided by an advisory board of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston, Mr. Brown said.
"Our focus and mission is to do what we are doing well and to be committed to the ministry of healing," he stated.
