The Dennery Hospital officially opened to the public Tuesday, following the completion of renovation works.

The hospital, built in 1954, was badly damaged by Hurricane Tomas on October 31, 2010, prompting the government to temporarily relocate healthcare services to the Richfond Wellness Centre.

Minister for Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations, Hon Alvina Reynolds, said the newly renovated facility offers a more comfortable setting for service delivery.

“The renovations have allowed for the expansion of new and existing services such as Men’s Health Services, Adolescent Health Services, the Wellness Clinic, a Wound Management Clinic, and an Independent Urgent Care Department fitted with modern equipment,” she said.

The Urgent Care Department allows for the management of emergencies without disruption to regular services, with extended hours from 7 a.m. to midnight.

The facility is also fitted with a teen centre, which provides a creative space for the youth to express themselves through art, craft, dance, drama and receive accurate information on their health as well as possible solutions to any issues they may face.

Parliamentary Representative for Dennery North, Hon Shawn Edward welcomed the reopening of the facility.

“Today I want to express my tremendous appreciation to the Ministry of Health for expediting the process of reopening the facility. I am of the firm belief that our people will benefit enormously not just from the mere reopening of the facility, but also from the variety of services that are provided.”

The Dennery Hospital is a community-based health care facility serving the communities between the Barre d’Lisle and Praslin.

The Ministry said the facility is the first to truly embrace integrated services with a central point of registration for all clients accessing care.