Specialist paramedics, two new Emergency Department areas, and a same-day emergency care unit have been introduced as part of a plan to help ease the demand on the General Hospital during the winter.

These paramedics, who have advanced skills, can treat certain patients within the community rather than transporting them to Hospital.

Blood tests taken by specialist paramedics will be processed by the Hospital’s laboratory team within one hour to enable the patient to be treated closer to home. 

It forms part of the Health Department’s winter plan, which hopes to reduce unnecessary admissions and shorten the length of time patients stay in hospital.

Two new areas have been created within the Emergency Department as part of this plan.

The Rapid Assessment and Treatment area has been developed for patients arriving by ambulance.

In this area, patients will be assessed by a senior clinician with diagnostic tests undertaken within 30 minutes of their arrival to allow them to be transferred out of the Emergency Department as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the new ‘Fit2Sit’ area includes four new chairs for patients who do not need to be assessed or treated on a hospital trolley.

Meanwhile, the opening of the Same-Day Emergency Care unit will allow patients – who previously would have been admitted to hospital – to be assessed, diagnosed, treated and safely discharged on the same day.  

And a new ‘Discharge to Assess’ service will be launched to allow patients to be discharged home, when it is medically appropriate, for care assessments to take place.

While awaiting assessment, the patient will be supported by a care agency for two weeks, as well as with telecare technology such as personal alarms and sensors. 

Head of operational resilience James Basilio-Mason said: “A huge amount of work has gone into developing this Winter Plan, which is focused on enhancing care for islanders.

“Winter can see an increase in demand on healthcare services, which is why these measures are so important. 

“By introducing new services and streamlining hospital flow, we’re making sure people get the right care at the right time, and that our teams are supported to deliver it.” 

Health Minister Tom Binet said: “It’s great that we have this plan in place, but we’re also asking islanders to play their part in helping to protect our frontline services during the busy months ahead.

“Vaccination programmes such as those for flu, COVID-19 and RSV are key to preventing severe illness, they offer protection to those who are most at risk from these viruses and therefore can also help to alleviate pressure on the Hospital.

“If you are eligible for any of these vaccines, please contact your GP surgery to arrange vaccination and only attend the Emergency Department in a genuine emergency.

“Pharmacists, GPs and the out-of-hours doctor service may be the most appropriate place to access medical care.”