A LACK of heat monitoring on Hospital wards has been criticised by States politicians, after the Health Department revealed it had not been able to record temperatures during this summer’s record-breaking conditions.
Responding to a Freedom of Information request lodged by the JEP, the department confirmed that the ambient temperature of wards was not recorded and there was no central record of site temperatures. This contrasted with the UK, where similar requests have been answered in detail.
One nursing union said that the summer was ‘no doubt incredibly difficult’ for nursing staff and patients, as Jersey recorded its highest-ever temperature of 37.9°C and records were also broken in the UK.
The response also stated that while specialist equipment was used to cool particular areas such as theatres, isolation rooms and the Intensive Care Unit, wards and general areas relied on natural ventilation.
The Health Department said that during periods of extreme heat – several of which were experienced over the past few months – fans were made available and free-standing air-conditioning units were installed in some areas.
The department added: ‘Ice creams, ice cubes and chilled drinks were made available to patients and staff, while uniform requirements were also reviewed and, where possible, relaxed.’
The statement added: ‘Guidance based on the Health and Safety Executive, Health and Safety Inspectorate and National Health Service releases was circulated to all staff through e-briefings and the staff intranet.’
Deputy Geoff Southern, chair of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel, said he was surprised that temperatures were not monitored.
He said: ‘I think there are a lot of occasions when temperatures in the Hospital are either too high or too low, and it’s a poor way to treat patients and staff.’
Deputy Southern added that he felt working conditions at the Hospital were contributing to the challenges of recruiting and retaining staff.
Deputy Lyndon Farnham who, prior to the general election last June held political responsibility for the project to build Jersey’s new hospital, said that while staff at the Hospital were excellent, the building itself was inadequate in many respects.
He said: ‘It’s depressing that they aren’t able to monitor temperatures, and I think that the infrastructure of the building is creating an extra and unnecessary risk for Islanders’ health.’
Concern about temperature levels in hospitals across the British Isles has been expressed by the leading nurses’ union.
Royal College of Nursing senior officer Sam Crooks said: ‘The last summer was extraordinarily hot, and this was no doubt incredibly difficult for both nursing staff and their patients.
‘For nursing staff, who work through all weather to care for patients, it is vitally important that they stay hydrated and as cool as possible.
‘The RCN advises that it is essential to have well ventilated environments and that staff in every care setting are encouraged to drink water and have time to rest and rehydrate.
‘We hope that managers and staff will work together to find the best solutions to make their working environments as comfortable as possible, as it looks likely that we will continue to face extreme heat in future summers.’
Jersey’s Health Department did confirm that no medical cancellations associated with the high temperatures were experienced from June to August 2022, although the high temperatures were considered to have been factor in the mechanical failure of the air-handling equipment in one operating theatre.
This had required minimal rescheduling of surgical cases but no cancellations, the department said.
Speaking ahead of the publication of a review into the hospital project commissioned by Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet, which is due to be published tomorrow, Deputy Farnham said he was concerned at the prospect of further delays in replacing the current Hospital.
‘If the government sticks with the existing plan, the new hospital could be open within four years, but I’m worried it will take twice as long.
