Press Conference Statement from the Health Minister

  

Before we answer questions, I’d like to provide an update on some of the critical areas which have been the focus of Health and Community Services preparations over the past week.

This morning I signed the document formally extending the Order underpinning the Stay at Home Instruction for a further two weeks.
I extended the order on the recommendation of the Medical Officer of Health in order to allow us time to plan our detailed exit process.
As the Chief Minister has just said, he will make an announcement on our strategy to achieve a safe exit from this pandemic by the end of the month.
I understand the personal, emotional and mental health impacts that the continuing Stay at Home instruction is having on Islanders, and I will make sure we have a plan to exit. But only when it is safe to do so.

There have also been concerns about the Personal Protective Equipment available to our frontline health and essential workers.
We now have two and three-quarter million items of PPE in stock and ready to deploy, ensuring that we have over 30 days stock for each item.
In addition to the approximately 50 pallets received earlier this week we have taken a further delivery of 21 pallets of PPE and sanitiser today.
Our stock levels are in a good position across all lines and we are storing PPE across 3 separate sites to ensure resilience in supply.
As of now, the PPE portal has 360 registered users from nearly 200 organisations and departments across health, care and essential services - both public and private.
Since being launched only 2 weeks ago the PPE cell have received, prioritised and processed 379 requests for essential PPE, with logistics and deliveries being supported by the Jersey Field Squadron who ensure the PPE gets to where it is required, the same day, if requests are made before 10am.
Requests are being assessed to ensure that PPE use and supply is managed against the current guidelines issued by the Medical Officer for Health – this will ensure supplies of PPE can be maintained throughout the period of the pandemic and all essential workers across the public and private sector can get access to the PPE that they need to work safely.

Islanders have also been concerned about the provision of ventilators and other essential equipment for treating those suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19.
I’m pleased to say that 20 CPAP devices have just arrived at the General Hospital.
In the next 48 hours we also expect to take delivery of an additional 5 Invasive ventilators, 20 Non-Invasive ventilators and 20 Oxygen concentrators. 

We have also made significant progress in the construction of our temporary Nightingale Hospital.
Since the decision was taken on the 8 April, a little more than 2 weeks ago, islanders have seen this facility take shape thanks to the concerted efforts of hundreds of islanders.
Clinical staff are working in a coordinated manner with construction workers and many other people to create this important facility.
We are also preparing so that training can begin for clinical and support staff.
This week clinical staff approved the bed module and have agreed that the facilities being built meet the specifications that we have set out.
The week of the 4 May 2020 is the beginning of the handover. During that week our staff will be given training and making preparations for receiving patients.
This facility will provide the resilience the Island needs to protect our most vulnerable and save as many lives as possible.

Before we take questions, I want to express my thanks to all Health and Community Services Staff, and everyone working across the public sector, in the construction of the Nightingale site, in our essential services, to all the volunteers and you, the public.  
This is not an easy time for anyone living on our Island.  But the responsible action Islanders have taken so far, by supporting one another and following the Stay at Home instruction has saved lives. Please keep up that good work!
 
Could I now pass back to the Chief Minister, who will invite questions from the media.