Fire safety means hospital project over budget

Issues with fire safety at the new Critical Care Unit at Guernsey's Princess Elizabeth Hospital means the project will be over budget.

The President of the Committee for Health and Social Care (HSC), Deputy George Oswald revealed the issues in an update during May's States sitting.

Last year, the BBC revealed there were defects in the ventilation at the unit, which delayed its opening.

Oswald said: "During this process, further issues related to file protection have been identified. This additional work relates to changes from the original fire strategy that are required to ensure full compliance with current fire safety regulations."

He said it would be up to the States to fund the work to bring the unit in line with regulation.

The deputy said: "We intend for the existing contractor to undertake these additional works subject to funding approval. Unfortunately, this will result in increased costs to the project and an additional delay to the opening of units.

"We are not yet in a position to confirm the financial impact, but it is unlikely that the units will open before the end of 2026."

He said the increased costs to the first phase means that the next phase will be "very significantly" over budget.

Oswald said he was not yet able to reveal how overbudget phase two would be but HSC would work with Policy and Resources on the next steps.

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