Type 'C' Hospitals

Noel Holmes Hospital

Fort Charolette Drive, Lucea • Tele: 956-2733; 956-2731 • Fax: 956-2151

On the north-western coast of the island of Jamaica, abutting a horseshoe shaped harbor lays the picturesque town of Lucea on the parish of Hanover. On a peninsular to the west of the town are Fort Charlotte and the Noel Holmes Hospital.

The fort, originally named Fort Lucy, was built in the 18th century and in 1962 was later named Fort Charlotte. Erected for the defense of the town, Fort Charlotte stands on a peninsular overlooking the harbor and the Caribbean Sea. The Hospital lies to the south of the fort and was constructed to serve the man garrisoned there. Edward Long, in his 1774 chronicle to Jamaica, described in detail the hospital site. In the late 19th century, the hospital site along with barracks and fort were given by the British War Office to the Parochial Board for public use. At that time, it was known as the Lucea Hospital.

Over the years a series of dedicated government medical officers have administered to the operation of the facility; answering the public's need for maternity care, emergency medical treatment and community health programs. Formidable diseases such as yaws, cholera, malaria and typhoid were eradicated as a result of the tireless efforts on the part of the many physicians and nurses who served this hospital. More recently, the names of Dr.'s Ford, Martin, Holmes and Wint come to mind. In 1970, the Lucea Hospital was officially changed to honor Dr. Noel Norman Holmes, J.P.O.B.E., MB, ChBLM, who had died November 12, 1966. At this ceremony a bronze bust of Dr. Holmes was unveiled.

Dr. Holmes worked as the Chief Medical Officer at the hospital from 1947-1966. In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert damaged and destroyed 80% of the buildings in the parish of Hanover. The Noel Holmes Hospital was no exception. Most of the roof was lost and the ground floors of the complex were flooded. Through the ensuing year, renovation has been made possible through assistance of the Jamaican government and many kind friends of the hospital. It is hoped that this historic medical institution will continue to offer quality care to the citizens of Jamaica well into the next millennium.

  • Bed capacity - 38
  • Bed Occupancy – 26
  • Intensive Care Beds – 0

Medical Programmes & Services Specialties


Medical Programmes

  • General Medicine
  • Asthma/Respiratory
  • Dermatology

Obstretrics/Gynaecology

  • Labour and Delivery
  • Gynaecology
  • Postpartum Care
  • Antepartum Care

Mental Health Programmes

  • Acute Psychiatry
  • Community Health
  • Detoxification
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Child and Adolescent


Other Services

  • X-Ray Services
  • Pharmacy Services
  • Nutritional Services
  • 24 hour Emergency Service