Media Release - emergency measures for health and social care

Emergency measures in place for health and social care services next week.

Following the Civil Contingencies Authority (CCA) decision for an immediate lockdown to mitigate and minimise the impact of COVID-19 on the community, all elective surgery has been postponed next week and forthcoming weeks will be reviewed on Monday.

Any emergency surgery will continue as required. These are urgent cases that cannot wait.

Islanders who have to attend the Emergency Department or other areas of the hospital will be asked to social distance and will see staff wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The Medical Specialist Group will switch to virtual outpatient appointments where possible (telephone and web) and will use PPE to see people who need urgent consultations.

PPE stocks are good and we have sufficient for enhanced use both in health and social care facilities and the private care home sector.

Brock Ward is ready to be mobilised to a 'hot' COVID-19 ward when required (the ward can be mobilised within an hour).

Extra staff have been deployed into the scheduling and swabbing teams to manage the anticipated additional workload.

Health and care premises are closed to visitors with immediate effect. End of life visits will be considered on a case by case basis.

Deputy Brouard, HSC President said:
'This is not a decision that has been taken lightly. The safety of our community is paramount and these emergency measures reduce any risk to our health and care services whilst we have unexplained community transmission.

I know that these decisions will be disappointing for those who have been preparing for surgery in the coming weeks. Officers will be in touch as soon as they can to rearrange all appointments that have been postponed.

Please listen to the messages from Government. Please stay at home. We have been through this before and we will get through this next phase if we continue to look after each other and work together.'

Ends
Notes to Media
Issued by: Emma Walton
Tel: 01481 725241
E-mail: emma.walton3@gov.gg