Hospital Unveils Strategy to Manage Seasonal Patient Surge

Health and Care Jersey has unveiled a series of measures aimed at easing pressure on the island’s health system during the coming winter months, when rising cases of flu and Covid-19 are expected to put additional strain on emergency services and hospital capacity.

To help manage demand, the General Hospital has expanded its emergency department with several new spaces designed to speed up patient flow. One of these is a rapid assessment and treatment zone, where a senior clinician can evaluate patients arriving by ambulance and complete key diagnostic tests within half an hour. Officials say the approach helps ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate ward without delay.

Another addition, known as the Fit2Sit area, offers recliner seating for patients who do not require a trolley. The aim is to free up beds and accelerate ambulance handovers by allowing lower-acuity patients to be treated more efficiently.

For the first time, Jersey will also see specialist paramedics supporting frontline services. These clinicians will be able to treat certain patients in their own homes, with blood samples processed by the hospital laboratory in roughly an hour, reducing the need for hospital trips.

A same-day emergency care unit is now operational as well, giving eligible patients the option to be assessed, treated, and discharged without an overnight stay. In parallel, a new “discharge to assess” pathway will allow patients to return home while their longer-term care needs are evaluated, helping to reduce unnecessary time spent in hospital.

James Basilio-Mason, head of operational resilience, said the winter plan represents “a huge amount of work” and is aimed squarely at improving care for island residents.

Health Minister Deputy Tom Binet emphasised the importance of vaccinations, calling flu and Covid-19 jabs “key to preventing severe illness,” and urged the public to use the emergency department only when absolutely necessary.