Further delays to opening of critical care unit

The opening of a new critical care unit at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey has been delayed again.

States of Guernsey officials had said the new block would be opened in autumn 2024 before it was delayed again to early 2025.

The BBC understands issues with the installation of new ventilation units and the placement of some walls have caused further delays.

Heath and Social Care (HSC) said the opening "sadly but unavoidably, would continue to be delayed until essential remedial works have been completed" but it did not give a timeframe.

It said of the issues: "These have taken longer than anticipated but we are continuing to work with the contractor to get this resolved."

The BBC understands work is under way to fix the defects by contractors Rihoys and Son, which was commissioned to work on the full hospital modernisation project.

HSC was negotiating with Rihoys around how this work will be funded.

Rihoys chairman Gavin Rihoy said: "Working to deliver this major capital project within a working hospital and clinical environment has been challenging, though we are working to complete remedial works as soon as possible.

"This facility will provide many benefits for patients and staff, helping to save lives in the future."

HSC said: "We know this will be disappointing news for the community as a whole and we are extremely disappointed too.

"This delay, although frustrating, does not present a clinical risk as we continue to have a fully functioning and safe Post Anaesthetic Care Unit and Critical Care Unit in the current PEH.

"It is important to remember that the Critical Care Unit cares for our most vulnerable patients and it is vital that we get this right for them and for our staff, given the benefits that the new units will bring."

HSC President Deputy Al Brouard said in March 2025: "We hope to officially open the post anaesthetic care and critical care units within the next few months.

"We had hoped to open in April so naturally we're disappointed, but it's crucial that we get this right for patients and staff given the benefits that the new units will bring and that is our focus."

It is not the first delay to the scheme to extend the hospital, as the project had been scheduled to be completed in autumn 2024.

However, the States said in August 2024 "the final elements of the building work have taken longer than anticipated".

Bella Farrell, chairwoman of Guernsey's healthcare watchdog Carewatch, said she was disappointed by the delay and encouraged the new HSC committee to work towards transforming local health services.

"There is going to have to be a reimagining of how health and social care services are provided within these of limited resources," she said.

At the start of this project, the States said the scheme was needed as the current hospital "provided a poor experience for patients and staff".

In 2019 the States approved Phase 1 of the hospital modernisation project, at a cost of £34m, but it is not yet known whether the new delays will lead to the project going over budget.

In 2023 the States said the work was set to come in on time and on budget.

Phase 1 of the project included the new critical care unit, a post anaesthetic care unit, relatives' facilities and staff facilities.

Originally the critical care unit was planned to include eight beds, before increasing to nine beds during 2025, with capacity to increase to 12 beds.

Last year it was revealed officials HSC officials knew about a projected £30m overspend on the hospital extension in February 2023.

Since then a UK firm has been employed by the States to look at how the costs of Phase 2 the project could be kept within the approved £120m budget.

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].