Refurbishment of hospital children’s ward starts today

Monday 27 July 2015

A £750,000 refurbishment project on the children’s ward at the General Hospital starts on Monday.

The new ward will open by the end of the year, with improved facilities for treating children being admitted for planned treatment or those admitted following emergency referrals from GPs or those requiring treatment for mental health issues.

The 18-week project is due to be completed by Christmas.

The senior nurse for the ward said that the work was important.

Sally Gebhardt said: “This work will provide significantly enhanced facilities for children and young people and we are pleased to be getting it underway.

“There will be some changes during the project, but we will be seeking to minimise any impact on business as usual and look forward to returning to our original location before Christmas.”

The ward will be moved to the seventh floor while work goes on.

Once the new ward is opened, some children will be treated away from the ward itself – a Continuing Care Clinic will be set up to cover assessments or short-term reviews of treatment, so that youngsters can be looked after outside of what Health say can be a “busy ward environment”.

Health Minister Andrew Green said that the project was one of his department’s top priorities.

He said: “It’s very important that we provide a bespoke facility that meets the needs of young Islanders who face mental health challenges,” he said. “At the same time the enhanced environment and facilities will benefit all those who come to Robin Ward, while the Continuing Care Clinic is best able to provide care for those with outpatient needs.”