ALMOST £166,000 will be drawn from a charitable trust to fund the purchase of new equipment for the Hospital.
A recent ministerial decision will see £37,715 transferred from the E. J. Bailhache Charitable Fund for the purchase of a replacement phototherapy unit for Jersey General Hospital, and £128,000 for two diabetic retinal screening cameras.
The fund was set up “for the general welfare of persons elderly, and/or blind or sick at the General Hospital”.
According to the ministerial decision, the purchase of phototherapy equipment will “directly benefit sick patients – many of whom are elderly or vulnerable – within the hospital’s dermatology service”.
Phototherapy is a form of dermatology treatment that uses artificial ultraviolet (UV) light to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and vitiligo. It can also be used to treat babies who are suffering from newborn jaundice. Jersey’s phototherapy service was first suspended in March 2020 in response to the pandemic – and has not re-opened since.
Meanwhile, “the request for diabetic retinal screening cameras aligns with the fund’s purpose of investing long-term healthcare improvements and benefit the community”, the ministerial decision states.
The accompanying report explained that diabetic retinal screening is “essential” in order to avoid ophthalmic complications, with data from multiple clinical trials illustrating its value.
The report explained that the existing retinal screening equipment captures only a 45-degree view of the back of the eye, and requires pupil dilation for all patients. This causes blurring of the patient’s vision for a few hours after the test.
“New, modern retinal screening cameras would enhance patient experience, with faster
appointments and a return to normal daily living immediately,” the report said.
It would also provide better imaging through cataract and other media opacity, fewer repeat appointments for slit-lamp biomicroscopy clinic, more accurate detection of peripheral neovascularisation, and improved detection of peripheral pathology.
“In addition, more ophthalmic issues will be detected earlier, and there will be an increase in screening uptake, thereby positively impacting patient wellbeing and health into the future,” the report added.
