Help and advice for Intersurgical staff

Wednesday 05 October 2022

Those left out of work by the sudden closure of Intersurgical's Guernsey branch have been encouraged to feel "some reassurance" in the current positive outlook for job seekers.

The medical equipment manufacturer yesterday closed its site at Pitronnerie Road Industrial Estate, with all 90 staff told their employment was terminated with immediate effect.

While most left straight away, some office staff stayed behind to clear their desks.

One told Express that staff had been told via email on Monday afternoon that a meeting was being held on Tuesday morning at 09:00. The announcement was made then.

The woman had worked for Intersurgical for 15 years and was clearly shocked by what had happened.

Pictured: Intersurgical was based at Pitronnerie Road Industrial Estate, having previously been at the Braye Road Industrial Estate.

Intersurgical was launched in 1982 in the UK, and it had had a base in Guernsey since 1983.

At times it had employed more than 200 staff at a time, with most working on the assembly line, making medical equipment which was sold around the world.

During the first local covid lockdown, Intersurgical employed additional staff to meet demand for its products, and kept its factory open 24 hours a day with increased shift patterns so manufacturing could continue at all times.

Now, 90 staff are looking for new jobs.

The Committee for Employment and Social Security offered sympathy and advice when informed of the situation with Intersurigcal yesterday.

"It is of course disappointing to see redundancies as the result of any business closing in Guernsey," a spokesperson said, "but while this may reflect the circumstances for this business which operates in a very specialised sector, it is not reflective of the wider Guernsey economic environment.

"Many employers in the Island, across a wide range of sectors are recruiting and desperately in need of new, hard-working recruits to help them continue to grow, and we hope that will be of some reassurance to those affected by Intersurgical’s decision."

The most recent unemployment figures (above), to the end of August, show 239 people out of work - which is the lowest rate for more than 14 years.

Those left suddenly out of work can ask for help from ESS directly. The spokesperson said:

"If any of those affected need additional support in looking for new opportunities, we encourage them to contact the Job Centre on 222516 or job.centre@gov.gg."

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