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A £1.3m upgrade to the hospital's 28-bed Plémont Ward is now complete - with the area now including two new accessible showers, a quiet room and a multi-disciplinary treatment room.
As well as redecoration of the ward, the renovation included upgrades to fire safety and mechanical and electrical services, the installation of new nurse call alarms, new medical gas outlets being fitted and the installation of wall cladding and flooring to meet Infection Control standards.
Work began on the former Plémont Rehabilitation Unit on 30 August last year after States Members decided to reinstate rehabilitation services at Samarès Ward at the Overdale site, after patient power forced the last Government to change direction earlier in 2022.
Pictured: Health Minister Karen Wilson opening the Stroke rehabilitation when it made its return to Samarès Ward at Overdale in August 2022.
The quality of rehabilitation services became a heated political issue in January 2022 when then-Senator Steve Pallett took a proposition to the States Assembly calling for care to return to Samarès Ward.
Both he and St. John Constable Andy Jehan became the political voice of many stroke survivors and their families, who said that the quality of services – but not care by staff – had declined significantly since they moved from Samarès Ward in May 2020.
Patients on the former Plémont Rehabilitation Unit complained of a lack of space, privacy, room to exercise, and equipment.
However, the current government has confirmed that rehabilitation services continue to be based at Overdale and will remain there for the foreseeable future, explaining that the long-term plans for rehabilitation in the island will be decided upon as part of a broader services strategy which will be compiled during the design for the new Hospital.
This refurbishment of Plémont Ward renovation is part of a wider improvement plan within the hospital, the government says.
Completion of this work enables wards, which require refurbishment, to be temporarily moved from other areas of the hospital to allow improvements to take place, and also provides additional beds when there is a surge in demand for hospital beds such as during the winter.
Pictured: One of the new rooms in Plémont Ward.
Health Minister Deputy Karen Wilson said: "I want patients to be at the heart of all that we do in HCS. This new ward not only provides a better environment for patients to recuperate following an illness or injury but it also improves working conditions for staff.
"The completion of the renovation works also enables us to continue with our estate improvements to ensure we can continue to offer good quality care and provide an enhanced medical environment in the future."
The next set of hospital refurbishment works are now due to begin on Beauport Ward, which is currently used for orthopaedic patients.
These works are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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