Rain causes leaks at Nightingale Wing

Rain causes leaks at Nightingale Wing

The temporary facility at Millbrook, which was completed in May as part of the Island’s response to Covid-19, is being repaired by contractors this week following thunderstorms in late June.

A government spokesperson said: ‘Following heavy rains in late June, some rubber seals between panels on the side of the temporary Nightingale Wing were affected. This resulted in some water entering the building.

‘This was cleaned up with a mop.

‘Two technicians from Neptunus arrived the following week to re-seal the panels. This was paid for by Neptunus.’

The Island suffered significant flooding on the evening of 25 June, when approximately 12mm of rain fell within two hours following Jersey’s second-hottest June day on record.

Constructed across a five-week period at a cost of £14.4 million, the Nightingale has yet to be used for patients.

A total of eight patients were receiving treatment at the General Hospital for Covid-19 at the time of the official opening by the Earl of Wessex on 11 May, but this number fell gradually during the ensuing weeks, with no patients currently in hospital as a result of the virus.

The capacity of the facility is 180 patients, with scope to expand this to 240 if necessary.

At the end of May, the JEP revealed that an on-site fire crew would be necessary to ensure the safe operation of the Nightingale.

Having the on-site firefighting ability is a condition of the facility eventually being given a fire safety certificate.

Concerns about fire safety were raised in the States Assembly by St Saviour Constable Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard, who said she had been contacted by a worried parishioner. Mrs Le Sueur-Rennard was initially told that all the necessary clearances for the Nightingale were in place, but the government subsequently admitted that there was a problem.

Although it has yet to be used, the government spokesperson said: ‘The Nightingale Wing remains an important part of Jersey’s response to Covid-19.’

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