Hospital postpones operations after heatwave leads to equipment failure - Jersey Evening Post
by Tom Innes, Megan Davies · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
Hospital postpones operations after heatwave leads to equipment failure
by Tom Innes and Megan Davies 28 May 202627 May 2026
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AROUND 200 patients will have their operations postponed after equipment failure caused by the hot weather led to three of the Hospital’s seven operating theatres being closed for at least a fortnight.
The failure of the main chiller unit serving the trio of theatres, as well as the adjacent recovery unit, was ruled to be irreparable following an inspection yesterday, with a senior clinician highlighting the ongoing challenges of maintaining the “ageing” Hospital estate and the “desperate” need for a new hospital.
Ongoing hot weather also caused problems elsewhere in the Hospital, with one parent highlighting the 30°C temperatures in Robin Ward, while extra measures, including portable air conditioning units, extra cold drinks and ice pops, to help staff and patients stay.
Medical director Simon West said it would be necessary to lease a new temporary chiller unit for the theatres from the UK, and that the “best-case” estimate was that it was likely to be approximately two weeks before the new unit is operational.
Until the loan equipment is ready, Mr West said that operations scheduled for around 20 patients per day across the theatres would be assessed by clinical staff.
Priority would be given to urgent cases and emergency care, he said, as well as paediatric, obstetric and cancer procedures, he said, with such cases moved to the four theatres unaffected by the equipment failure.
“We are very sorry for the inconvenience this may cause,” Mr West said. “All affected patients are being contacted directly, with each patient being clinically reviewed and prioritised, ensuring those with the greatest need continue to receive care as quickly as possible.”
Although it is hoped that the backlog created by the postponements can be cleared across the summer, the Health Department had already extended operating hours into the evenings over the summer period in a bid to reduce waiting lists.
Mr West added: “Unfortunately this serves as an opportunity to highlight the fact that our staff are working in an ageing estate and that we are desperately in need of new premises.
“We have old equipment [such as the chiller units] that sits on top of buildings and is therefore exposed to the elements – not just the heat, but other weather as well,” he said.
The medical director said looking after staff and patients was a top priority, especially during spells of hot weather.
Additional support measures are in place, including portable air conditioning units to estates across HCJ, where possible, guidance issued to teams, regular wellbeing checks by managers, and the provision of refreshments. This has included distributing ice pops across services to help staff and patients stay cool and comfortable, alongside access to cold drinks and rest areas.
During the past political term, Health Minister Tom Binet and the project team for the Island’s new hospital have been seeking to finalise an agreement with selected partner Bouygues UK. The contract was not signed before the election period started in late April, although it is understood that negotiations have continued and that the matter could yet be resolved prior to polling day on 7 June.
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