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Islanders are being urged not to visit A&E unless they are "experiencing a genuine medical emergency" as the hospital deals with another spike in bed blocking.
Yesterday, the Government put out a reminder on social media to islanders that "care, support or advice" can also be provided by a pharmacy, GP surgery or the out-of-hours GP service.
Following questions from Express, the Health Department confirmed that the reminder was a response to the hospital becoming very busy with higher than predicted emergency admissions.
Officials said that, as of yesterday, 44 patients were "delayed discharge" due to lack of capacity in the community.
Statistics from the end of last month showed 28 people in the hospital were identified as 'Delayed Transfers of Care' (DToC), meaning that they had been assessed as no longer needing to be in hospital, but were unable to leave.
We’d like to remind Islanders to only visit A&E if they are experiencing a genuine medical emergency. Care, support or advice can be provided by a Pharmacy, GP surgery or the out of hours GP service.
— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) August 22, 2023
Out-of-hours GP: https://t.co/iZnTbbgsDw
Pharmacies: https://t.co/GuALPA64Wd pic.twitter.com/9U6VLkTYj9
This was either because they were awaiting a placement either in a nursing or residential home – or because no placement had yet been identified in the community.
Bed blocking is an ongoing issue in Jersey, with the number of DToCs fluctuating from 36 to 46 between January and May.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Bailiwick Podcast, Interim Chief Officer for Health Chris Bown said that the challenge was not unique to Jersey, but admitted that it was "not good care".
He said that a solution was needed.
Pictured: Interim Chief Officer Chris Bown. (Dave Ferguson)
"Important debates" also needed to continue regarding third sector providers such as care homes and home care agencies which would usually assume responsibility for patients' care after leaving hospital, Mr Bown added.
Express spoke to Chris Bown for an episode of the 'Bailiwick Podcast'. You can listen to the podcast below or on your favourite podcast player by searching 'Bailiwick Podcasts'.
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