Details of futuristic new hospital emerge

Monday 20 March 2017

Patients could be treated in ensuite 'pods' with sliding doors under new hospital plans.

The details about the £466 million future hospital build emerged during a Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel hearing held last week.

According to Hospital Managing Director Helen O’Shea, rooms will be 'cohorted in pods of four,', each with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors.

Described by Panel member, Senator Sarah Ferguson as, "...like something out of Star Trek", each room will include an ensuite bathroom, and have glass windows with blinds in to allow for privacy.

The Panel – comprised of Senator Ferguson, Constable Chris Hugh Taylor and chaired by Deputy John Le Fondré – heard that the build would not be a “like for like” replacement of the old hospital, but include more theatres and health technology, as well as more beds.

According to the Medium Term Financial Plan, there will be 70% more people over the age of 65 by 2035, which, in turn, will likely see a surge in hospital users.

Mrs O’Shea said that the hospital would accommodate this by increasing the number of adult beds from 132 to 192 (287 in total) in order to 'future proof' it against the demands of Jersey's aging population.

Efforts will also be made to link the hospital up to Patriotic Street car park, with two new floors to accommodate additional visitors and staff on the cards. But firstly a review will be undertaken to ensure that the structure, whose last structural assessment may have been as far back as 1994, will have to be reviewed.

While the project is currently on track for the States Assembly to vote on whether it should be funded in April this year, Infrastructure Minister Deputy Eddie Noel was quizzed over whether a changeover following the next year’s elections could potentially derail plans.

He responded: “I would hope not. You will have a different group of politicians in May 2018 than you currently have… One would hope that those that are in the Chamber after the next General Election will seriously take on board that this is the most important capital project that the island has ever faced, and will have an impact on many generations to come.”