More surgeries delayed as one-in-20 Health staff catch covid

Friday 07 January 2022

More surgical procedures have had to be put off at the hospital due to covid, with one-in-20 Health staff now off sick with the virus.

A total of 20 'elective' operations due to take place next week are having to be rescheduled.

It comes in addition to 30 that had already been pushed back this week.

However, Health’s Director General Caroline Landon said that urgent procedures would still be able to go ahead.

Around 127 staff out of the Health Department’s 2,485 employees are isolating as a result of contracting covid. Express asked the Government how many staff are absent for non-covid-related reasons earlier this week, but is yet to receive a reply.

Meanwhile, there are 17 patients in hospital with covid, and 16 in care homes. 

The announcement that further planned procedures would have to be rescheduled came late last night, just hours after Deputy Chief Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham had issued a statement advising that Jersey’s “critical national infrastructure remains in a steady position” despite the rising levels of omicron in the community. 

Covid levels in Jersey hit another record high yesterday, passing 4,000 for the first time. 

Statistics update:
There are currently 17 active cases in hospital.
The number of active cases in the Island is 4053.
There have been 650 new cases and 426 recoveries since Wednesday 5 January.

For more COVID-19 figures, visit our website: https://t.co/Maitmwkwf2 pic.twitter.com/kiDm7jUUwj

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) January 6, 2022

The Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey - which has 2,325 cases - is also coming under pressure due to covid.

As it emerged yesterday that the island’s Critical Care Unit was at full capacity, a decision was taken to reduce the number of elective and day surgeries. 

Alderney has 114 recorded covid patients.

Earlier this week, the island’s President put out an appeal for volunteers to work at its main care home, and assist their public infrastructure team, due to covid-related staff shortages. 

Pictured: Alderney is appealing for volunteers to work at Connaught Care Home, where residents are staying in, and are unable to receive visitors, due to covid-related staff sickness.

Announcing the further elective surgery postponements in Jersey, Health’s Director General Caroline Landon commented: "We know that this delay will be frustrating for our patients who had their procedures planned for next week. Cancelling any kind of procedure is always a difficult choice, and is not a decision we take lightly.

"We sincerely apologise to our patients who are affected, and thank them for their patience and support. As few procedures as possible are being rescheduled: 153 planned procedures will still take place next week, including urgent procedures. Those procedures which have to be cancelled will be re-scheduled as soon as possible.”

“Thank you to all HCS colleagues for their continuing commitment to delivering care, despite our current unavoidable challenges.” 

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