28 April 2020
Jersey’s General Hospital has received a delivery of more than 100 items of medical equipment to support patient’s oxygen levels and breathing in the event of complications arising from COVID-19.
Jersey’s Health and Community Services now has the capacity to ventilate up to 39 patients and to deliver ‘CPAP’ oxygen support to a further 40 patients.
The items arrived in the Island on Saturday 25 April, having been transported by the Ministry of Defence from Telford (UK) via Portsmouth harbour.
The Minister for Health and Social Services Deputy Richard Renouf said: “It has been a fantastic effort of everyone involved to source this vital equipment which will ensure we are well prepared in the event of health complications arising from the coronavirus.
“Islanders can be reassured that the Government is liaising with suppliers on a weekly basis to ensure we have the necessary equipment in Jersey for this outbreak and can continue delivering high quality healthcare.”
The Government of Jersey takes part in weekly briefings with the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) which reviews the use and need of such equipment. The DHSC has a Ventilation and Oxygen Equipment Allocation Programme, which enables Jersey to loan additional equipment if needed.
Group Medical Director, Patrick Armstrong, said: “Ventilators are the most invasive form of intervention for supporting people with their breathing. This equipment is used to support patients who are most ill from coronavirus and we now have a good stock of equipment which can be used when necessary.”
gov.je