Hospital-wide air conditioning 'simply not possible'

The Health Minister says getting air conditioning throughout the whole hospital building 'is simply not possible, now, or in the future.'

A petition calling for just that has been signed more than 2,500 times, with many of those signatures coming during the recent heatwaves.

That included mum Charlotte Machon, who shared this petition following her experience with her three-week-old baby in Robin Ward last month.

She said:

"It's not just unbearable in the heatwave, it's still so horrid in there when it's 27°C, it wasn't a nice experience.

"We were in a little cubicle, and we had to keep the blinds down to keep the sun out, and we had it dark in there for the whole time. We tried not to open the window at all because that was just letting the hot air in.

"We were just sticking to each other in the heat, it wasn't the nicest when your baby is poorly, and you're just wanting to cuddle them, we just had to leave her in the little cot-bed because she was just getting hotter and hotter if we were holding her for too long.

"What actually was the trigger for me putting the petition out there, and putting the post out there, was seeing how relentless it was - not only for us, we get to leave, but for the nursing team.

"They were working in those conditions, and they were so professional, they were still providing the most incredible care, but they were really struggling, and the night team came in early to relieve the day team because they were needing a break because it was just so hot in there.

"I said is there any air-con in the pipeline, is this something that you're going to have to persevere with? Nobody really had an answer, and I just thought somebody needs to be held accountable for this, and if putting a post out and raising a bit of awareness helps with that, then that's only a good thing."

During the hot weather last week, temperatures were again soaring inside the hospital building.

After exceeding 1,000 signatures, the government had to formally respond.

Health Minister, Senator Tom Binet, said:

"I recognise that this petition has been prompted by concerns about conditions in the Hospital during the second heatwave of the year. Those concerns are entirely understandable and have continued to receive close attention, with measures already in place and ongoing efforts to manage the impact of extreme temperatures.

"However, I do not accept the claim that the Hospital is operating in an unsafe environment for patients or staff. During the recent heatwave, I visited wards across the Hospital to see first-hand how conditions were being managed.

"Whilst the conditions were challenging, what I saw was a committed and professional workforce taking practical steps to protect patients, manage the impact of high temperatures, and maintain safe, high-quality care. Their efforts were impressive, and I remain confident that patient safety continues to be our highest priority."

Senator Binet added that the concerns raised in this petition reinforce why delivering the new hospital is so important.

The petition needs 5,000 signatures to be considered for debate by the States Assembly.