Changes at ED and DPU from today

Monday 16 September 2024

From today, Guernsey's Emergency Department has moved to where the Day Patient Unit is on a temporary basis, while some patients who would normally be treated at the DPU will be seen elsewhere.

Both facilities are on the same level of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital so patient access has only been affected minimally.

The change is to enable some new flooring to be laid within the ED, along with upgrades to bay partitions, a larger central desk for staff, and a new charging bank for essential medical equipment. This is all expected to take around eight weeks to complete.

Elaine Burgess, Director of Care Delivery, said: “This is an exciting project that will help to rejuvenate the Emergency Department with much needed environmental work being undertaken.

“We are mindful of the waiting lists for all specialties and are working hard with the MSG to minimise disruption and offer alternatives to patients where there is availability within this time period. We are scheduling as much business as usual as possible within the constraints of our resources. I want to reassure patients that we remain strongly committed to providing the highest standard of patient care, privacy and dignity in a safe environment and have robust plans in place while this essential work continues.

“Additionally, the specially commissioned artwork to the paediatric bay will help create an environment conducive to healing that is more appealing to the young people in our care.”

While the work is being carried out, people needing Emergency treatment should use the current ED reception entrance as usual where staff will help patients to the correct department.

Patients who would normally be admitted to the DPU will be provided with a day-case bed on Giffard Ward on Level 2 instead.

Health and Social Care has confirmed that while the work is being carried out emergency operations will continue to be prioritised, the GP Out of Hours service and Fracture Clinic will continue to run as normal from the same locations, and endoscopies and Minor Ops will continue in the current Day Patient Unit.

HSC also confirmed there won't be any decrease in bed numbers using ED or Giffard Ward and there'll be no impact on Children’s Dental Service, MRIs, Pain Clinic, Gynaecology, Dermatology or Urodynamics.

Capacity on some lists requiring general anaesthetics will be reduced to ensure patient safety, HSC added.

The project to upgrade the Emergency Department is being funded from minor capital allocation while a charitable donation is funding the creation of a new paediatric bay in the ED at the same time.