Work to refurbish Jersey's General Hospital has been delayed because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Health Department says refurbishment work on several wards has been postponed to make sure the Hospital is ready to deal with any potential rise in COVID cases, and other pressures over the winter months.
Three wards - Portelet, Aubin, and Corbiere - have been modernised already, with four others - Bartlett, Plemont, Rayner, and Sorel - plus the Maternity Unit and communal areas still outstanding.
A spokesperson for Health and Community Services says some work will still go ahead this year - including renovating the Pathology department and hospital restaurant, but other maintenance planned for 2020 is on hold until it's safe to carry out:
“It is essential the Hospital remains prepared should any escalation in COVID cases arise alongside normal seasonal winter pressures. Therefore, plans to refurbish the in-patient areas, Sorel, Plemont, Bartlett, Rayner, Maternity Unit and the Outpatients corridor have been postponed but the refurbishment program will recommence once it is safe to do so.
“Basic refurbishment helps to improve the aesthetic appearance and infection control standards of wards, but these works do not remove the continued need for a new hospital."
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