Closing the Private Patients’ Unit at Noble’s Hospital is a ‘bold step’ but one which has to be done to create modern facilities for the future.
That’s the message from the Department of Health and Social Care which is closing the doors to the unit on January 7th.
In-patient and day case private medical treatment, and private operations, will be suspended.
A three-month notice period was given for the unit’s closure so that most procedures booked at the time of the announcement could be carried out.
Private consultations at Noble’s will continue, either in clinical rooms within the PPU until the refurbishment of the unit begins, or for certain specialities elsewhere in the hospital.
Diagnostic investigations, such as blood tests, radiological imaging and endoscopy will continue to be provided to private patients.
A team at the hospital is meeting consultants regularly to plan for the private consultation work that will continue in the New Year.
The PPU was opened in 2003 and is overdue a refit to ensure the hospital’s facilities compare well with private units in the UK.
Minister David Ashford says: “Although the closure of the private unit may feel like the start of our ambitious plans, in reality, we are some way along the road already.
“One example is that we have looked to see how much interest there is among organisations to become our partners in developing and operating the new private medical service.
“We have received a number of expressions of interest and will have discussions with potential partners early in the New Year.
“At the same time, we continue to talk to consultants about how they will manage their private practice.
“Inevitably, some work will have to stop: as private theatre, inpatient and day case work, which all require staffed private beds, will be suspended for a period.
“The inconvenience to all concerned is a regret, but we are taking a bold step and there’s no way round this: for a new facility to be created, the old one has to close.
“Research suggests there’s a strong market for private healthcare on the Island, and when we have a service which operates as a successful business, we can expect it to contribute to funding DHSC health and social care services elsewhere.”
