Type 'C' Hospitals

Port Antonio Hospital

Naylors Hill, Port Antonio • Tele: 993-2646-8; 715-5778

The original hospital was built on the Titchfield Peninsula opposite to the playfield. When this facility outgrew its capacity the institution was relocated to the present site in the Naylor’s Hill community and officially opened on 1943 May 03 by Sir Arthur Frederick Richards, Captain General & Governor in Chief of Jamaica and its Dependencies. In the new facility Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, Out Patient Clinics, Casualty, Dental Clinic, VD Clinic services were all administered in the Out Patient Department building. After 4:00 p.m. emergency cases were treated on the wards. Later, the After 4:00 p.m. Room was instituted.

The Laboratory was at first relocated across from the current Radiology Department and later to its present site on the upper floor. Paediatrics, Maternity, Medical and Surgical services were also offered. However, the children were housed on the adult wards, as there was no Paediatrics Ward. A benefactor, Mr. Reidar Johannsen, subsequently built the Paediatrics Wing, which has been named for him. During this era the hospital was manned by one (1) Surgeon, one (1) Junior Doctor and a few Nurses, among other staff. The administrative body consisted of an Administrator, a Senior Medical Officer and a Matron who individually reported to senior officers at the Ministry of Health. A Hospital Board directed the affairs of the hospital. A number of changes have taken place over the years at this sole, Type C Hospital in the parish of Portland, which serves approximately eighty-one thousand (81,000) inhabitants.

The hospital can now accommodate one hundred and twenty-five (125) beds; ninety-five (95) admitting beds are currently being utilized. Services offered include Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Laboratory and Radiology Diagnostics, Pharmacy, Dietetics, Out Patient Clinics (Medical, Surgical, Orthopedic, Psychiatric), Accident and Emergency and Casualty care. In a few weeks we will also be offering Ultrasonography services. These services are provided by an existing cadre of one hundred and eighty-six (186) Medical, Para-medical, Nursing, Administrative and Support Staff (including a Surgeon, Medical Internist, and Psychiatrist). Under a decentralized health care system, the hospital now falls under the administration of the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA). The hospital is managed by a Hospital Manager who reports directly to the Parish Manager for health services. A Parish Health Committee facilitates the delivery of health care in the parish.

  • Bed capacity - 95
  • Bed Occupancy – 46.9
  • Intensive Care Beds – 0

Medical Programmes & Services Specialties


Surgical Programmes

  • General Surgery

Medical Programmes

  • General Medicine

Obstretrics/Gynaecology

  • Labour and Delivery
  • Gynaecology Surgery
  • Colposcopy/Ultrasound
  • Postpartum Care
  • Antepartum Care

Child Health Programme

  • General Surgery
  • General Medicine
  • Neonatal Intensive Care
  • Child and Adolescent

Mental Health Programmes

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

Other Services

  • Anaesthesia Services
  • 24 hour Emergency Room Service
  • Radiology Services
  • Pathology/Laboratory Services
  • Pharmacy Services
  • Dietetic/Nutritional Services