Princess Alice Hospital Grenada: Complete East-Coast Healthcare Guide
Princess Alice Hospital Grenada: Complete East-Coast Healthcare Guide
TL;DR: Princess Alice Hospital sits in Mirabeau, St. Andrew Parish, and is Grenada's second largest public hospital. Open 24/7, it serves the eastern and northern parishes with emergency care, maternity, pediatrics, and general medicine. In October 2018 it became the first hospital in the Eastern Caribbean to be fully refitted to smart standards. Phone: +1 473-442-7251.
If you live in eastern Grenada, are visiting the Spice Isle's Atlantic coast, or just want to know where to go if something goes wrong outside St. George's, Princess Alice Hospital is the answer. Yet search for it online and you'll find little more than a map pin and a one-line Wikipedia entry.
This guide fills that gap. It covers the hospital's history, its medical services, the smart hospital upgrade that made international news in 2018, how to reach it from Grand Anse, and exactly when you should head to Princess Alice versus the General Hospital in St. George's.
Whether you're a resident of St. Andrew parish, an expat, or a traveller exploring the Spice Isle's east coast, bookmark this page. You may need it.
What Is Princess Alice Hospital?
Princess Alice Hospital is a 26-bed public district hospital in Mirabeau, St. Andrew Parish. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and functions as the primary medical facility for the eastern and northern reaches of Grenada's mainland, covering St. Andrew, St. Patrick, St. David, and parts of St. John.
It is the only other hospital available on the mainland apart from the General Hospital in St. George's. It provides services to at least four parishes: St. Andrew, St. Patrick, St. David, and to some extent St. John, since people from the Clozier community in St. John often travel there because it is easier and faster to reach.
Located in the parish of St. Andrew, Princess Alice Hospital is the second-largest public hospital in Grenada. The main telephone number is +1 473-442-7251. For emergencies, the public can also call +1 473-417-4747 for an immediate response.
The hospital provides general medical services, pediatric care, and has a well-equipped maternity ward. It also operates as a teaching hospital for nursing students.
Think of it as the anchor of healthcare for roughly half of Grenada's mainland population. If you're staying anywhere east of Grand Etang, this is your closest public hospital.
From Royal Commission to Smart Hospital: A Brief History
Princess Alice Hospital has served Grenada for over 75 years. It was commissioned on March 4, 1950 by Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, and in October 2018 it made regional history by becoming the first hospital in the Eastern Caribbean to be fully refitted to smart standards.
The hospital was commissioned by Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, on March 4th, 1950. The establishment serves a population of 25,469 people in St. Andrew and also that of its surrounding parishes, namely St. Patrick's, St. John's, and St. David's, to a lesser extent.
Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, was a member of the British royal family and the last surviving grandchild of Queen Victoria. In 1950, she became the first Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. The hospital bearing her name has outlasted most Caribbean healthcare institutions of its era.
For decades the facility operated as a basic district hospital, underfunded compared to the General Hospital in St. George's. That changed in 2018 with a landmark upgrade. The Princess Alice Hospital is the first hospital to have been refitted to smart standards in the Eastern Caribbean and the latest in the Caribbean Region as a whole.
The Smart Hospital Project is an initiative financed by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) and implemented through PAHO. The organisation works with Ministries of Health in countries across the Eastern Caribbean to construct and/or retrofit health facilities with the aim of improving disaster resilience while saving energy and water.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Honourable Nickolas Steele, Minister of Health in Grenada; Simone Banister from UK Aid's Department for International Development; and Shalini Jagnarine, the structural engineer from PAHO responsible for the development of the project.
What does "smart" actually mean here? The smart standard refit implemented at the Princess Alice Hospital now includes protective shutters and a specialised roof, as well as energy-saving light fittings and solar panels.
The primary functions of smart health care facilities include protecting the lives of patients and health care workers; reducing damage to hospital equipment and infrastructure; providing health services under emergency conditions; using scarce resources more efficiently; and improving strategies to adjust to future hazards and climate change.
For Grenada, a country that sits squarely in the Atlantic hurricane belt, that resilience matters enormously. A low-energy wastewater treatment plant will use activated crushed glass to transform the wastewater from the hospital into reusable water, another first for the Mirabeau community. Improvements have continued since. An X-ray unit was installed, with results viewable within five minutes. Images are sent electronically to the General Hospital, allowing doctors, technicians and nurses to analyse images within minutes, making diagnosis easier, faster and more efficient.
In 2022, the government announced further works. Princess Alice Hospital was being retrofitted to house an operation theatre for patients. And in the 2026 budget, the government confirmed it had rehabilitated or commenced refurbishment of the Princess Alice and Royal Hospitals as part of strengthening primary health care delivery across the country.
What Medical Services Does Princess Alice Hospital Offer?
Princess Alice Hospital provides 24-hour emergency care, general and outpatient medicine, maternity services, paediatrics, minor surgical procedures, X-ray, and laboratory services. It is equipped to handle common medical conditions and serves as a district-level referral point for the eastern parishes.
Princess Alice Hospital provides a variety of medical services, with a strong focus on general care, emergency services, and maternity services. It is equipped to handle common medical conditions and minor surgical procedures, making it a vital resource for its community.
Here is a breakdown of what you can expect:
Emergency and Casualty: The A&E is open around the clock, every day of the year. 24-hour emergency services are available at all three government-run acute care hospitals, including Princess Alice Hospital.
Maternity: The hospital is particularly famous for its maternity services and neonatal care. Many women from across the island choose to deliver at Princess Alice Hospital due to its reputation for excellent obstetric care. The facility also runs community health programmes focusing on maternal and child health.
Paediatrics: The hospital has a dedicated paediatric unit alongside its maternity services, with 24-hour care for children available as part of the public healthcare system.
Outpatient Clinics: General outpatient consultations run on a scheduled basis. Visiting specialist doctors come to the hospital on certain days of the week. Specialist doctors visit the PAH on certain days during the week, attending to patients who need special attention and care.
Diagnostics: The X-ray unit installed with support from the Reynold and Nadia Benjamin Medical Foundation is now a key asset. Due to the sophistication of the X-ray unit, results are achievable much faster than even the General Hospital, with images viewable within five minutes.
Teaching: The hospital trains nursing students, giving it a dual role as a clinical education hub for eastern Grenada.
For support services such as laboratory work, small fees may apply. Patients may still be required to pay small fees for support services such as lab work, physiotherapy, or pharmaceuticals. Children, the elderly, and the indigent are usually not charged at all.
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Princess Alice vs. Grenada General Hospital: Which Do You Need?
If you're in eastern or northern Grenada and need emergency care, maternity support, or a general consultation, go to Princess Alice Hospital. If you need complex surgery, specialist referral, dialysis, or advanced trauma care, make the journey to the General Hospital in St. George's.
This is one of the most common questions residents and visitors ask. Here is a practical breakdown.
Go to Princess Alice Hospital when:
- You are in St. Andrew, St. Patrick, St. David, or St. John
- You need emergency or casualty care in that region
- You are in labour or need maternity support
- You need a general outpatient consultation
- You require X-ray, basic lab work, or paediatric care
- Your condition is stable enough for district-level care
Go to the General Hospital (St. George's) when:
- You require complex or specialist surgery
- You need dialysis
- You've received a referral from Princess Alice
- You are near St. George's and need emergency care
- You need advanced trauma or intensive treatment
- You are a visitor staying at Grand Anse or in St. George's parish
The General Hospital is the largest and most comprehensive medical facility in Grenada. It serves as the main referral hospital for the entire country and offers a wide range of medical services. The hospital features departments for internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, and emergency care. It is particularly renowned for its emergency trauma centre, which handles the majority of acute cases in Grenada. It also has specialised units for dialysis and physical therapy.
St. George's General Hospital is a 198-bed public hospital and the country's primary medical facility. By comparison, Princess Alice has 26 beds. Both are public and offer free primary care for residents.
For visitors staying near Grand Anse, the General Hospital is the faster choice because it is only about 10 to 15 minutes from the tourist strip. However, if you're exploring the east coast or staying in the Grenville area, Princess Alice is your nearest serious medical facility.
The bottom line: Princess Alice is not a "lesser" option. For the eastern parishes, it is the first-response hospital. Its smart status means it can function during natural disasters when road access to St. George's may be compromised.
How to Get to Princess Alice Hospital from Grand Anse
The hospital sits in Mirabeau, a settlement just outside Grenville town, in the heart of St. Andrew Parish. From Grand Anse, allow approximately 45 minutes by car.
By Car: Take the coastal road north through St. George's, then follow the Eastern Main Road northeast through the interior. Pass through Birch Grove and continue toward Grenville. The hospital is on the Mirabeau Road just before you reach Grenville town centre. GPS coordinates: approximately 12.1290, -61.6554. Grenada follows left-hand driving. The Spice Isle's roads are narrow, steep, winding, and full of character. Take it steady, especially on the inland stretches.
By Bus: Minibuses on Zone 6 run from St. George's bus terminal northeast through Grand Etang toward Grenville. The fare is modest and the journey takes around an hour, longer than driving. For a medical visit, a taxi or hire car is strongly recommended.
By Taxi: Taxis in Grenada operate on set-rate fares. Always confirm the price before departing. From St. George's to Grenville, expect a fare of approximately EC$50 to EC$80 depending on the operator. Ask for the Mirabeau hospital specifically.
In an Emergency: Call +1 473-417-4747 or dial 911. The Grenada Ministry of Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs has ten ambulances that provide emergency services to the country's population. Do not drive yourself if the situation is serious.
Practical Tips Before Your Visit
A few things will make your visit smoother, whether you're a resident or a visitor.
Bring Identification: Carry a valid photo ID and, for visitors, your passport. Bring any existing medical records, prescriptions, or documentation of chronic conditions. Grenadian hospitals are thorough with documentation.
Know Your Coverage: Citizens and expats living in Grenada have free primary healthcare, funded by the country's National Insurance Scheme. The scheme is funded through payroll taxes and provides coverage for treating illnesses like cardiovascular diseases, public hospital stays, and work-related injuries. Visitors from overseas should carry travel insurance. Check whether your policy covers Caribbean hospital treatment before you travel.
For Non-Emergencies, Call Ahead: The main number is +1 473-442-7251. Outpatient clinic schedules can change, and calling ahead ensures you arrive on a day when the service you need is available, including specialist visiting days.
Children and the Elderly: Children, the elderly, and indigent populations are typically exempt from fees for support services.
Mental Health Services: If you or someone you know needs mental health support in the St. Andrew area, the directory also lists services like Beyond Wellness, a licensed clinical psychology practice with a location in Birch Grove, St. Andrew. For holistic and therapeutic support closer to St. George's, explore listings under professional services.
Pharmacy: Bring a copy of any existing prescription. Foreigners requiring pharmacy prescriptions should bring sufficient medication in its original container with the date and a signed letter from their doctor.
What's Next: Grenada's Healthcare Trajectory
Princess Alice Hospital is not standing still. During the refurbishment of nearby Grand Bras Health Centre, services are being temporarily redirected to Princess Alice Hospital to ensure continuity of care. The Government of Grenada has signed contracts with local construction company Gren-Mac worth over EC$2.5 million to refurbish regional health facilities as part of the wider CDB/EIB Health Sector Strengthening Project.
At the national level, the government has established the Polaris Development Company Limited, a special purpose vehicle to implement Project Polaris, a major new hospital development project in partnership with Mount Sinai Health System, with a groundbreaking planned for 2026.
A combined allocation of EC$155.7 million is provided for health and mental health ministries in the 2026 budget, with construction of the Mirabeau Rehabilitation Centre also underway.
The Spice Isle is investing seriously in its health infrastructure. Princess Alice, the smart hospital that anchors healthcare for eastern Grenada, sits right at the centre of that investment.
Conclusion
Princess Alice Hospital in Mirabeau is more than a district facility. It is the healthcare backbone for roughly half of Grenada's mainland. It has been serving communities since 1950, and its 2018 smart hospital upgrade made it a benchmark for the entire Eastern Caribbean region.
For residents of St. Andrew, St. Patrick, St. David, and St. John, it is the first port of call for everything from maternity care to a 3am emergency. For visitors exploring the Spice Isle's east coast, knowing it is there and how to reach it is simply good preparation.
Three key takeaways: the hospital is open 24 hours, the main number is +1 473-442-7251, and for complex cases you will likely be referred to the General Hospital in St. George's.
Explore more health, wellness, and professional services listings in St. Andrew on GrenadaSearch, your complete guide to the Spice Isle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the phone number for Princess Alice Hospital Grenada? The main number is +1 473-442-7251. For emergencies and immediate life-threatening situations, you can also call +1 473-417-4747 for a direct emergency response. The national emergency number in Grenada is 911.
Does Princess Alice Hospital have a 24-hour A&E? Yes. 24-hour emergency services are available at all three government-run acute care hospitals in Grenada, including Princess Alice Hospital. The casualty department operates around the clock, every day of the year.
What made Princess Alice Hospital a "smart hospital"? The Princess Alice Hospital is the first hospital to have been refitted to smart standards in the Eastern Caribbean and the latest in the Caribbean Region as a whole. The smart standard refit includes protective shutters, a specialised roof, energy-saving light fittings, and solar panels. The goal is to keep the hospital functioning safely during and after natural disasters, including hurricanes.
How far is Princess Alice Hospital from Grand Anse Beach? The hospital is located in Mirabeau, St. Andrew Parish, approximately 45 minutes by car from Grand Anse. The route runs northeast from St. George's through the interior toward Grenville. Grenada's roads are narrow, steep, and winding, so allow extra time if you are unfamiliar with the route. For a medical emergency, call 911 or +1 473-417-4747 rather than driving yourself.
Can tourists receive treatment at Princess Alice Hospital Grenada? Yes. At government-run hospitals, residents and visitors can receive free primary care, including 24-hour emergency and paediatric care, basic dentistry, and certain procedures. Patients may be required to pay small fees for support services such as laboratory work, physiotherapy, or pharmaceuticals. Visitors are strongly advised to hold travel insurance that covers Caribbean hospital treatment, as costs for non-primary services and any medical repatriation can be significant.