Guernsey's Hospital At Full Capacity

Routine surgery at the PEH is postponed as all 113 beds are filled. The health committee says there's no single cause for the excess demand.

The health committee says postponing elective, or routine surgery, has so far seen 13 orthopedic and 6 general procedures shelved.

There are 113 beds at the PEH and for two weeks, those 113 beds have been taken.

That number excludes the relatively new de Havilland ward, which is only available for patients having joint surgery. However, given the demand, this is now being used for recovery from other types of operation.

Health says there is no single cause of the surge in demand and describes it as seasonal. It has used some additional 'flex' beds where possible, but these are very short term, hence taking the decision to postpone surgery.

It apologises to people who waiting for their operation, but assures those who need emergency, or cancer surgery, that they will be a priority.

UPDATE 3PM 6 March 2024:

Health has confirmed one cancer-related surgery has been postponed in Guernsey today, as the hospital remains at full capacity:

‘We will continue to prioritise emergency surgeries and elective cancer surgeries, however this morning we did reluctantly have to postpone one cancer surgery due to a lack of a critical care bed for them.'