11 June 2010
The new emergency department at the hospital was officially opened today by the Bailiff.
Welcoming the Bailiff to the new emergency department, Deputy Anne Pryke said "It is my pleasure to welcome you all here today as we celebrate the near completion of an exciting and important programme of expansion and refurbishment of 2 key departments within the Jersey General Hospital. They are both essential in the delivery of prompt and effective treatment to literally thousands of Islanders each year and it is our aim to ensure that every one of them are seen as quickly as possible and receive appropriate, high-quality care.
"Each year, around 40,000 incidents are dealt with by the emergency department and initiatives such as the new minor treatment bays are very helpful in prioritising patients, all of whom need urgent care. The provision of a dedicated waiting room and treatment room for children is a very welcome and significant improvement on what we had before. The department is now bigger and brighter, with improved access for people visiting, with a light and welcoming reception area and larger spaces for patient care.
"We are also proud of the facilities within the radiology department. You will have seen some impressive new equipment and the latest digital technology which means that patients being seen in hospital clinics no longer have to wait for films to processed and printed. Digital storage means there is no possibility of losing an image and, if needed, many doctors will be able to view the same image at the same time. Patients who need to travel to the UK for treatment are now able to have all their films provided electronically and not just CT and MRI scans as was the case before. Since the system went ‘live’ in February, using the digital equipment has saved us over £200,000.
"These projects give evidence, I am sure, that when given the resources we can use them wisely and to good effect. There are many other areas on this, and our other sites, that also need urgent attention and it is one of our key priorities, as a team, to ensure that this investment and service improvement is forthcoming.
"I am pleased that you have had an opportunity, Mr Bailiff, to meet some of our hard working staff, some patients and also those involved in helping bring this particular project to fruition. It can not have been easy to have worked in such a way as to minimise disruption during this process, whilst maintaining what are essential 24 hour services, and I want to thank all of those who have made this possible.
"I also hope that this may be the first of a number of official visits that you will be able to make in the future to this, and some of our other facilities. I know that our patients and staff will always be pleased to see you.
"I would now like to invite you to unveil a plaque that has been prepared to commemorate your visit. This is subsequently to be hung in the reception area of the emergency department."
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