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Hanover Health Services

Noel Holmes Hospital, Fort Charlotte Drive, Lucea

Telephone: 956-2733 Fax: 956-2540

The Hanover Public Health Services provides preventative and curative health care primarily to a population of over 67,200 persons living in the Parish of Hanover. This accounts for approximately 14% of the total populace of the Western Region.

The Hanover Health Services Delivers Primary Health (Clinical & Community) Care through its network of Health Centres, types I – III, appropriately located to provide efficient coverage of the population. Secondary Health Care is provided through the Noel Holmes Hospital, which is a National Landmark with a rich history.

The Noel Holmes Hospital with cool breeze blowing over, provides comprehensive quality care for our clients, relatives, visitors and the community at large, in a clean, healthy and pleasant environment that is warm and friendly. Services are delivered by our united, trained, highly motivated staff, in a tactful and confidential manner.

 

Mission Statement

To promote the physical, mental and social well-being and enhance quality of life of the populace of Hanover and surrounding communities, while ensuring access to adequate health care through the provision of cost effective, promotive, preventative, curative and rehabilitative services in partnership with voluntary organizations.

We the dedicated staff of the Noel Holmes Hospital offer quality health care for all our clients,through cost sharing and voluntary organization.

We provide out and inpatient services that enhance the physical and mental well-being of our clients. We place quality and dependability above all other concerns. Our most valued resources are our clients, employees and suppliers.

We maintain a good line of communication as we work towards our vision and healthy environment.


 

General Services Offered

  • Water and Sanitation Monitoring
  • Food and Nutrition Monitoring
  • Immunization
  • Family Health Care
  • Prevention and Control of Locally Endemic Diseases
  • Prevention and Control of Diarrhoeal Diseases
  • Treatment of common Diseases and Injuries
  • Health Education and Promotion
  • Dental Health Care
  • Mental Health Care
  • Provision of Essential Drugs

 

Parish History

History of The Noel Holmes Hospital

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 peninsula 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 men 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 Doctor 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.

Courtesy of The Hanover Historical Society & Museum, Lucea