Mother in plea for hospital air con action after 'unbearable' temperatures in Robin Ward - Jersey Evening Post
by Christie Bailey · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
Mother in plea for hospital air con action after ‘unbearable’ temperatures in Robin Ward
by Christie Bailey 29 June 202628 June 2026
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A MOTHER whose baby is being cared for in hospital has spoken of “unbearable” temperatures inside the children’s unit as a campaign demanding air conditioning throughout the ageing building gathers growing public support.
Around 200 operations were postponed during May’s heatwave following the failure of the hospital’s air-conditioning system, while a further 34 non-urgent procedures were rescheduled this week because high temperatures affected two operating theatres.
Charlotte Machon, who has been staying on Jersey General Hospital’s Robin Ward with her baby since Tuesday night, is urging Islanders to get behind a petition calling for air conditioning across the entire hospital.
She described conditions on the ward as “unbearable” during the record-breaking spell of hot weather this week, when temperatures soared to over 39°C.
Mrs Machon’s comments prompted a surge of support for the online petition, which passed 2,000 signatures yesterday. It has now comfortably exceeded the 1,000 required to secure a ministerial response and will be considered for debate by the States Assembly if it reaches 5,000 signatures.
Although the mother wanted to raise awareness about the heat, Mrs Machon was keen to praise the staff caring for patients and families.
“The team have been amazing, and they are all really incredible humans, doing everything they can to care for us and keep everyone as comfortable as possible,” she said.
“They should not have to work in these conditions whilst caring for our little ones, and poorly children should not have to recover in them either.
“It feels unjust that public spending has been prioritised elsewhere, whilst the needs of vulnerable children and the staff caring for them are not being met.”
Although Mrs Machon acknowledged a new hospital is planned, she said it remained “years from being finished” and warned that increasingly frequent heatwaves meant the issue could no longer be ignored.
“Change only happens when people come together, and I really hope this is something the government will prioritise,” she added.
Support group Friends of Jersey Oncology also highlighted the uncomfortable temperatures within the department treating those with cancer, advising attending patients to “wear cool clothing and bring your water bottles with you”.
While they said the department air conditioning was not doing “too well”, they noted that staff had provided ice creams and a few fans in an attempt to mitigate the heat.
Responding to questions from the JEP, medical director Simon West said portable air-conditioning units had been deployed across the hospital, including on Robin Ward, as staff worked to reduce the impact of the heat.
But he explained the “ageing” hospital’s electrical infrastructure meant there were limits on how much additional cooling equipment could safely be used without risking overloaded systems or fire hazards.
“Patient safety is our number one priority, and we need to avoid any risk of overloading systems or creating fire hazards,” he said.
Mr West said patients had been moved to air-conditioned areas wherever possible, while ice, cold drinks and ice lollies were also being provided to help keep patients comfortable.
“We recognise there are constraints within our current facilities, and we are sorry for any discomfort this may cause,” he said.
“I would like to thank our staff across nursing, medical, estates and support services, who continue to go above and beyond to mitigate the effects of the heat and provide the best possible care for patients, visitors and service users during these challenging conditions.”
Deputy Louise Doublet said she had also raised concerns about conditions on Robin Ward with the Health Minister Designate during May’s heatwave after hearing from distressed parents.
She said one mother’s account of trying to comfort a child “who needed cuddles and was clinging to her in that extreme heat without any air conditioning” had brought home the reality of conditions in some of the hospital’s oldest areas.
Deputy Doublet said she believed ministers had “really listened” and were “very aware of the difficulties being faced by the patients and the staff at the hospital”.
She also paid tribute to hospital staff, saying: “Jersey is so very lucky to have such dedicated members of staff in our hospital who have carried on working in these difficult conditions.”
However, she added that the situation underlined the need to press ahead with the Island’s new hospital, saying: “We do need to get that hospital built as soon as possible. I think that is exactly what everybody is working towards.”
Constable Andy Howell, who served as an assistant Health Minister in the previous government, said that “everyone is so sorry that the incredibly hot weather has been a challenge for patients in the General Hospital and their families and staff”.
“The Health Minister [Designate] visited the Hospital earlier this week to assess the situation and see what more could be done,” she added.
“I am really sorry that children and families in Robin Ward have found things unbearably hot, but I know everyone is working to make things better.
“We also must thank the staff for their hard work and for all they have done in the most difficult circumstances.
“I think all Islanders have been impacted in some way by the record heat wave and we are really looking forward to the new hospital, which will have air-conditioning.”
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