Hospital procedures delayed due to covid

Friday 31 December 2021

30 procedures due to take place next week in the hospital have been rescheduled as a result of the increasing levels of covid in the community and corresponding staff sickness.

Patients whose procedure will be rescheduled are to be contacted directly about any changes by the hospital and have been asked not to contact the hospital directly.

The announcement comes as the number of actives cases in the island reached 2,120 on Wednesday (29 December).

Since then, the Government has announced a reduction of the isolation requirements for fully vaccinated islanders and those under-12s, along with the removal of the requirement for PCR tests for direct contacts.

Pictured: Director General of Health and Community Services said they "sincerely apologise to our patients who are affected and thank them for their patience and support."

"We know that this delay will be frustrating for our patients who had their procedures planned for next week. Cancelling any kind of procedure is always a difficult choice, and is not a decision we take lightly," Caroline Landon, Director General of Health and Community Services said.

"We sincerely apologise to our patients who are affected and thank them for their patience and support. As few procedures as possible are being rescheduled: over 80 planned procedures will still take place next week, including urgent procedures.

"Those procedures which have to be cancelled will be re-scheduled as soon as possible. Patients who are affected by this will receive a phone call from us saying their appointment or procedure has been postponed."

It's not the first time hospital appointments have had to be delayed this year.

In July, it was announced elective surgeries would be postponed because of a severe shortage of staff due to leave, retirements, relocations and promotions, though it was clarified by Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf that this was not solely related to covid.

These services then resumed in September.