Women’s Ward Reopens at Jersey General After £2m Upgrade

A long-awaited dedicated ward for women has reopened at Jersey’s General Hospital following a £2 million refurbishment project.

The revamped Rayner Outpatients Department now houses a purpose-built women’s health area, featuring two medical treatment rooms and three consultation rooms.

The island’s specialist gynaecology ward was shut nearly six years ago, with patients transferred to a mixed-use general surgery unit. Health officials say the return of a standalone service marks a significant improvement in the care environment.

The newly created Female Surgical Ward, offering ten surgical beds alongside the outpatients’ facilities, has been fully modernised as part of the upgrade.

Assistant Health Minister Deputy Andy Howell welcomed the reopening, describing it as “really wonderful for women and girls”.

“It’s been hugely missed,” he said. “This is something Jersey needs, and it’s especially important to have nurses who specialise in this area. The entire ward has been refurbished from top to bottom – new floors, lighting, ceilings – and it now meets current infection-control standards.”

Plans to refurbish the gynaecology ward were originally postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Last year, consultant gynaecologist Neil MacLachlan publicly urged for the unit’s restoration, arguing that women admitted for miscarriages or abortions should receive care in a private, dedicated space supported by specialist staff.