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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY THE CONNÉTABLE OF ST. JOHN
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 6th DECEMBER 2011
Question
Would the Minister advise when Samarès ward at Overdale was constructed, who it was designed by and what the construction cost?
Can the Minister confirm that the Samarès ward Overdale does not have a bed lift from the first to ground floor and terminally ill patients are pushed down the long and winding wheel chair ramp along the outside of the North east side of the building which is open to all elements, and, if so, can she advise how long she has been aware of the lack of this facilities in this building?
Will the Minister detail what action, if any, is to be taken to rectify this issue at Overdale and advise what the estimated cost would be to fit a bed lift, or put some other means in place to transfer seriously ill patients?
Answer
The Overdale Assessment & Rehabilitation Unit (including Samarès Ward ) was completed in June 2004. It was designed by the Public Services Architects Department and completed at a cost of £7,923,000.
The design included the provision of two passenger lifts, located in the ground floor reception, to allow passenger and wheelchair access from the ground floor to the first floor inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facilities; it has never had a bed lift.
Samarès is primarily a rehabilitation facility for adults who do not require acute care at the General Hospital and who rarely require use of bed lift. It is not intended as a facility for the care of terminally ill patients, although regrettably some patients may not recover and may need to move on a stretcher bed to a different facility.
Patients who need use of an ambulance stretcher are transported via the double exit doors at first floor level on to the purpose built ramp, ascending to the road level into the awaiting ambulance. The slope is designed in accordance with byelaw standards to allow for the quick and safe movement of patients both on stretchers and in wheelchairs.
HSSD recognise that in some circumstances the use of the slope is not desirable. Our staff work hard to provide the highest possible level of care and consideration to patients using the slope, with our ambulance crews ensuring appropriate protection from the weather.
There are currently no plans to install a bed lift in Samares ward. The provision of a bed lift within the existing footprint of the building would cost an estimated £300,000. The Minister, who has been aware of this issue for a number of years has requested that the existing ramp is appropriately covered to provide patients with a greater degree of comfort. Officers are actively investigating options in relation to this.