Guernsey Press

UP to £1.5m. to be spent on addressing orthopaedic surgery backlog

Orthopaedic waiting times are rising with Health & Social Care now being given up to £1.5m. in emergency funding to tackle the problem.

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Among the initiatives to bring waiting times down to 'acceptable levels' is sending patients off-island for treatment.

'So far, over 65 islanders on the waiting list been contacted by HSC to make the offer of UK surgery and travel arrangements are being made for those that wish to take up the opportunity,' said a spokesman.

'As part of the ongoing work with Jersey to collaborate on healthcare provision, HSC is hoping to utilise orthopaedic capacity for its patients on Jersey in the near future.

'Funding of up to £1.5m has been secured from the Budget Reserve, with the approval of P&R, to support off-island surgery, as well as the extra on-island theatre sessions. In addition, ESS have approved funding for an extra anaesthetist which will enable additional theatre sessions to be undertaken.'

Patients have also been using Saturday surgeries at the PEH.

The committee has provided no details yet on the size of the waiting list or how long patients are waiting for treatment.

HSC said while the work being undertaken will reduce the backlog, the limitations of the PEH infrastructure have contributed to the increase in waiting times.

The States votes this week on its plans to modernise the hospital. Up to £93.4m. will be invested over the next decade, if members agree.