13 October 2023
In response to the temporary closure of the Jersey General Hospital surgical ward to visitors, Claire Thompson, Director of Clinical Services, Health and Community Services has issued the following statement:
"Health and Community Services has seen increased emergency attendances to the Emergency Department this week and a rise in our emergency admissions as a consequence. This has resolved over the week and is a usual feature of acute care.
"Any patients showing signs of respiratory illness post-admission are tested routinely as part of their care and some have subsequently shown to have COVID. Owing to the need to apply appropriate infection control measures, this has added to bed pressures.
"Therefore a small number of 'routine'/non urgent operations have been rescheduled.
"All urgent/emergency and outpatient activity is continuing and patients should attend HCS as they are scheduled to.
"At any time, but more often in winter, it may be appropriate to alter our visiting policy to ensure patients are protected and to limit the spread of infection to staff, in order to maintain and care for our workforce."
To accompany this message, the Hospital and Health and Community Services (HCS) request Islanders do not to visit the Hospital or any other HCS sites if they feel unwell or have respiratory or Norovirus-like symptoms.
This will help stop the spread of infection. Various viral infections are more common in winter.
This type of response and the accompanying communication is typical and routine over these periods, and helps prevent further spread of infection and additional pressure on our services.
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