Quote Originally Posted by CarrieBean View Post
What I want to know is...Is there someone trained in that ambulance or are we better off grabbing the first taxi or car willing to rush us to the hospital?
I thought I had already posted that there are trained EMTs in Negril - but to make it a bit more clear there ARE trained EMTs with the proper medical equipment in the ambulance. As for the judgement call on whether you should grab a taxi -it truly depends on the situation - if a simple trip to the hospital or clinic is needed - then take a taxi. But if serious medical attention is needed - call the ambulance.

Here is a copy of what I also posted back in beginning of August:

The new ambulance at the Negril Fire Station is now operational! It has completed all of its certifications and licensing requirements and has already been servicing the local community. This is a great addition to the private ambulance that has been Negril's only ambulance option of late.

The new ambulance is fully equipped with certified EMTs and can be reached by calling either 119, or 112 and the newly added 911 emergency phone numbers! Here is a pic taken today at the Negril Fire Station.



We would like to thank those involved in making this happen including folks such as Cliff Reynolds and Daniel Grizzle from the Negril Resort Board, Damian Salmon of the Negril Chamber and Winston Wellington who is spearheading the Negril International Hospital project. A big up to everyone involved!

In case anyone missed my previous message about making donations to the entity that can make this happen, I will re-post it once again:


"Since we live here and are all to familiar with this situation having to deal with it on a daily basis, you can be certain that you are not alone in wanting to see better for Jamaica. To that end, Winston Wellington, the owner of Travellers Beach Resort, who was instrumental in obtaining the ambulance for Negril has started the Negril International Hospital (NIH) project. Here is some information gleaned from their website:


MISSION
Our mission is to provide thoughtful, professional and complete medical treatments which specialize in emergency care, and surgical procedures. This will aid both the Jamaican nationals, and the over one million tourists that visit Negril each year. We also strive to provide a 24 hour emergency based hospital facility that will enable patients to receive specialized and urgent health care at all hours of the day. Furthermore, we will have a professional, compassionate staff that will cater to all patients’ needs, providing comprehensive medical treatments for emergency and surgical care.


GOALS
The Hospital is designed to become a recognized leader in its specialized field; exceling in emergency, clinical, and surgical services. The facility will feature over 100 acres of clinical space which will include a state of the art emergency room, a cardiology lab, and a radiology department. In addition to several operating rooms. Moreover, the hospital will feature 100 beds for in-patient care. Currently, there are no private hospitals in Negril to fully service both the inhabitants of Negril and the one million tourists that travel there annually, and the Negril International Hospital aims to fill this void.


http://www.negrilhospital.org/


There are links on the site to donate directly to this ambitious cause, which would vastly improve the medical services available in and around Negril. Donating to this worthy cause would probably be the best way to bring about the much needed services for visitors and locals alike. The first phase is projected to be opening in 2015. The Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea was just given 18 new beds by the NIH project in January, and the Sav La Mar Hospital had previously received 25 new beds. Here was the article in the Gleaner from February 16th:


http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...western92.html


The NIH contact information and Board of Governors and Advisory Board are listed below:


CONTACT


Negril International Hospital
200-09 Hollis Avenue :: Queens New York 11412
Voice: 718-753-9920 :: Fax: 718-230-7831


Travellers Beach Resort,
Norman Manley Blvd
Negril Westmoreland
Jamaica West Indies
Tel: 876-957-9308
Email: bill@negrilhospital.org


BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Winston Wellington, NIH Chairman
Bill Tingling, CEO
Wayne De-Leon CFO, Treasurer
Dr. Rudolph Willis, Secretary
Carl Reid, Paramedic
Dr. David Garwood, MD
Dennis Hawthorne
Elaine Allen Bradley RN, BSC
Patrick Fletcher
Barry Westcarr
Dr. Eric Shoenfeld, MD
Dr. Richard Constable, MD
Winthrope Wellington, B.S., M.B.A.
Dr. Robert Clarke, MD
Angela Sutherland


ADVISORY BOARD
Dr. Robert Clarke, MD
Dr. Winston Davidson, MD
Christine Chadwick
Dr. Winston Price, MD
Dr. Una Clarke
Edward Stephenson
Ken Cooney
John Brown
Karl & Fay Rodney
Telieth Drummond
Winfield Wellington, B.S.
Wingate Wellington, B.S., CPA
Keith Dwaynie
Sandy Vasceannie
Joyce Perry
Fitzroy Hall"