HSC has announced a further delay to the opening of Guernsey’s new hospital wing but it’s unclear what the problem is.
The ‘Post Anaesthetic Care and Critical Care Units’ were originally due to be ready for use by last Autumn. However, last August it was announced that it was running “within budget, but a few months late”.
In March this year a further delay to the opening and use of the new units was announced.
“We hope to officially open the Post Anaesthetic Care and Critical Care Units within the next few months,” said Deputy Al Brouard at the time.
The Health and Social Care President is retiring from the States when the current Assembly reaches the end of their term of office on Monday night.
The latest delay was announced by HSC on Friday – but Deputy Brouard hasn’t commented this time.
A spokesperson said “remedial works” are continuing in the brand new units at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital – even though they haven’t even opened for use yet.
“The opening of Princess Elizabeth Hospital’s new Post Anaesthetic Care and Critical Care Units will, sadly but unavoidably, continue to be delayed until essential remedial works have been completed,” the spokesperson said. “These have taken longer than anticipated but we are continuing to work with the contractor to get this resolved.”
The contractor involved in the multi-million pound project is Rihoy & Son.
The new Critical Care Unit is intended to increase surgical capacity locally, and help manage the ever-increasing demand, when it is ready for use.
When it opens it will have eight beds, although that will eventually grow to 12. It will also help provide a new Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit, providing seven more beds for those waiting off the effects.
“We know this will be disappointing news for the community as a whole and we are extremely disappointed too,” said the HSC spokesperson.
“This delay, although frustrating, does not present a clinical risk as we continue to have a fully functioning and safe Post Anaesthetic Care Unit and Critical Care Unit in the current PEH.
“It is important to remember that the Critical Care Unit cares for our most vulnerable patients and it is vital that we get this right for them and for our staff, given the benefits that the new units will bring. That continues to be our sole focus.”
HSC would not give any additional details or comment in response to questions posed by Express.
Therefore it’s not known what “essential remedial works” are taking place, how much the work is costing, or who is footing the bill, or how long the work may take.
Express contacted Rihoy & Son to ask the same questions and had not received any answer at the time of publication.