Surgeries 'unavoidably' postponed in Guernsey as hospital exceeds capacity limit

14 patients in Guernsey have had their surgeries postponed this week due to capacity at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital exceeding its limit.

Islanders are warned to expect further cancellations until the issue has been resolved with cancer and emergency surgeries the priority.

The States of Guernsey says: "The Princess Elizabeth Hospital is currently at over capacity so some elective surgeries have unfortunately, but unavoidably, had to be postponed to ensure safe practice."

Further beds have been added to patient wards to ensure staff are focused on caring for the additional admissions.

The Health and Social Care department says it recognises it is always disappointing when elective surgery must be postponed and apologises for the impact this has on individuals and their families.

It adds: "There is no single factor impacting acute care and it is a seasonal issue with demand outstripping available capacity.

"Teams from both the hospital and community have worked tirelessly to minimise the number of postponed elective surgeries and safe discharges out of the hospital.

"We have also increased capacity within the Day Patient Unit to ensure some surgeries can still take place and to utilise theatre capacity."

The hospital reassures patients that the situation is being monitored and postponed elective cases will be rearranged as soon as possible.

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