The private patients’ unit at Noble’s Hospital could be closed for at least a year.   

The Department of Health and Social Care is planning to suspend services from January 1st.  

It’s part of work to upgrade, refurbish and redesign the facilities. 

A three-month notice period is now in place so consultation can take place with stakeholders – and so patients can make arrangements to complete scheduled treatment plans.   

Nurses, healthcare assistants and administrative staff will be offered equivalent roles elsewhere in the hospital whilst the transformation is undertaken.  

Minster David Ashford says: “While the savings are welcome, they are not the driver or a central consideration of this proposal.  

“A temporary closure will allow us to drive forward with a bold new model for future private practice hosted at Noble’s Hospital, delivering a modern fit for purpose offering for private patients.  

“We know there is substantial but as yet untapped scope for attracting more private activity, which could provide a valuable income stream to support other NHCS services.  

“By creating a more attractive environment, more patients are likely to opt to have their private treatment here in the Island. 

“We have been looking at private patient units and their business models in the UK and will use that research to inform what would work best here, while delivering the best solution for our Island’s needs.  

“We’re going into this process with entirely open minds – no decisions have yet been made as to what the new unit will look like, but I can give an assurance that it will be modern, well-governed and will operate on a sound commercial footing.”  

The proposed closure is expected to save ?200,000 over the year.