'Ethical framework' to decide who gets critical care in Jersey
A new 'ethical framework' has been created to decide who will get critical care and who will not, if Jersey's health service begins to struggle with demand during the coronavirus pandemic.
The government says it has been put in place to make sure health professionals are not faced with the difficult decision of who to treat if a worst case scenario should arise.
Instead, a Central Triage Committee will assess patients based on a set of criteria, and aim to make sure those who are most likely to benefit from critical care interventions do so.
Experts say they hope it will ensure a "fair, equitable, ethical and legal" approach to allocating resources.
Over the past few weeks, the government has put in place a number of measures to cope with Covid-19. This has included:
More than 100 GPs beginning direct employment with Health and Community Services
A centralised personal protective equipment (PPE) coordination group to monitor, order, and distribute PPE across the island
A delivery of 10,000 antibody testing kits to detect immunity to the virus, with more tests due to arrive in the coming weeks
The construction of the Jersey Nightingale Hospital to create an additional 180 beds
The opening of an Urgent Treatment Centre to manage and treat minor injuries and illnesses