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A photograph of abandoned hospital beds has sparked anger on social media, with a charity leader querying why the seemingly unneeded care equipment has not been recycled or donated.
Former Health Minister Ben Shenton shared the image online yesterday.
"No hospital bed shortage here," wrote Mr Shenton. "Hospital beds, surplus to requirements, dumped on waste ground in Jersey."
No hospital bed shortage here. Hospital beds, surplus to requirements, dumped on waste ground in Jersey. pic.twitter.com/SQiYN2CHeU
— Ben Shenton (@BenShenton3) January 23, 2024
In the comments, islanders described the photograph as "shameful" and "wasteful".
One commenter wrote: "That's truly shocking, those beds could surely be part of an aid package to some less fortunate community, what an absolute disgrace."
Another added: "I'm sure there's a reason for that but I'm struggling to find one. It all seems very wasteful. Surely these could have been used in care homes or sent back to the UK and used there."
"Can't these be stored or given to care homes? What is actually happening with them?" asked one islander.
Suzanne Day – who works for "Jersey's all-embracing disability charity", Enable Jersey – said that she was "horrified" by the image.
Sharing the image on social media, she wrote: "If only I knew of a charity in Jersey recycling care equipment. Sadly that’s exactly what Enable Jersey does."
Pictured: In response to the ever-growing need for cost effective and sustainable healthcare solutions, Enable Jersey has devised a new service aimed at repurposing and selling pre-loved medical equipment.
Speaking to Express, Suzanne explained that Enable Jersey has recently launched a new service aimed at repurposing and selling pre-loved medical equipment.
She described her disappointment in seeing the photograph of the abandoned beds, particularly as Enable Jersey had "worked really closely" with the Health department on this new project.
"We couldn't repurpose that many beds, but it would have been nice to be involved in a conversation," said Suzanne.
Responding to a request for comment, the Government sent a link to a social media post by HCS which stated that: "Old beds can't be repurposed but will be recycled."
Out with the old, in with the new!
— Jersey Gov Health & Community Services (HCS) (@GovJsyHCS) January 24, 2024
Over 90 new beds replacing those no longer compliant with safety standards as part of Health's capital replacement programme. Thanks to our teams at HCS for all their hard work installing them.
Old beds can't be repurposed but will be recycled pic.twitter.com/N5Fo2OgCaS
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