Locum Director of Health and St Helena Government’s Chief Medical/Health Advisor, Edward (Ted) Rayment, arrived on-Island on Saturday, 22 June 2019.

Edward is responsible for the overall management of the Health Directorate and will carry out this role until September 2019.

Edward commented:

“My first impressions of the Island is that it is a beautiful place and I’m really pleased to be here.

 “I hope to work with the Health Directorate staff to finalise planning, prioritise risks and strengthen the work culture. I will add my thoughts and ideas based on many years managing health services in Australia.”

Acting Chief Secretary, Dax Richards, added:

“We are delighted to have Ted join our team, he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. Ted will be instrumental in working with stakeholders to develop the three-year strategic plan for the Health Directorate and his skill set will be invaluable to the process.”

Edward has previously held the position of CEO of The Canberra Hospital in Australia and other senior positions within Australia, including Community Health and review of Aboriginal Health in the Northern Territory.

#StHelena # HealthDirectorate #Locum

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SHG

5 July 2019

Speech & Language Therapist, Johanna Barclay, took up her new role with the Children & Adults Social Care Directorate in April 2019.

Part of Johanna’s role is to work with people who have communication difficulties, which often involves working closely with their families, and/or other people who educate and care for them. Johanna also provides support for feeding and swallowing best practice.

Since being appointed, Johanna has undertaken many projects, including a video reflection project.

Johanna said:

“I am really excited about a video reflection project now underway in Primary Schools and a crèche on the Island. My goal is to take this programme to as many settings as possible, so everyone who works with children or adults with communication difficulties has the opportunity to reflect on their skills in interaction, using the most helpful strategies. I have been impressed by people’s response to this, and the positive impact it has had in a relatively short space of time.”

Director of Children & Adults Social Care, Tracy Poole-Nandy, added:

“We are happy that Johanna has joined the directorate offering this specialist level of intervention and support to children and adults on St Helena. Johanna has already in her short time on-Island made such a remarkable difference to the service, which is evident in the positive feedback the directorate is receiving.”

Johanna concluded:

“I have had a very warm and friendly welcome from the families I work with, colleagues, and settings I have visited so far. I am blown away by the beauty of this Island, and look forward to exploring more. People keep asking if I am getting on okay with the accent and, so far so good, as long as it doesn’t get too fast I can just about keep up!”

Previously, Johanna worked for Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London and also spent several years working for non-government organisations and as an independent therapist.

#StHelena #NewAppointment # SpeechAndLanguage #Therapist

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SHG

5 July 2019

The Agriculture & Natural Resources Division (ANRD) has recently imported over 100 straws of goat semen to be made available to goat breeders across the Island.

Senior Veterinary Officer, Joe Hollins, explains:

“We have imported over 100 straws of semen from six world class Boer goats and one Anglo Nubian. The Boer goat is primarily a meat breed, the Anglo Nubian more dual purpose – meat and milk.

“One of the principles of livestock breeding on an Island is to prevent inbreeding with resultant reduction of productivity and quality. Artificial Insemination (AI) provides world class genetics from proven billies, is relatively good value, and is safe from a biosecurity point of view – it is sourced with special certification proving that it has been collected after stringent testing of the billies, and then treated, so that we do not introduce any disease.”

The process of procuring the goat semen has been extremely difficult and ANRD has been trying for nine months to get the semen on-Island.

Joe concluded:

“We would not have overcome the major problems we were having getting the goat semen onto the Island if it hadn’t have been for the amazing cooperation of multiple parties – the two semen companies, Farmgene and AB Europe, who arranged to amalgamate the order into one flask and do last minute certification, Richard James International in Bristol who organised the freighting, Kuehne Nagel the agents for the MoD, Kitty George who received the flask on Ascension and did a rush transfer to the MV Helena, the Captain and crew of the MV Helena who stood at anchor for an extra two days to pick up the shipment and who have had to endure endless jokes about their cargo, and Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc and AW Shipping Ltd for holding back the ship two days to match the flight.

“It has been a heart-warming example of what can be achieved with positive attitudes along a complicated chain in what has been a complex operation. We would like to thank all for their outstanding professionalism.”

#StHelena #ANRD #Goats

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SHG

4 July 2019

THURSDAY, 27 JUNE 2019

The monthly meeting of the Economic Development Committee took place on Thursday, 27 June 2019.

Senior Veterinary Officer, Joe Hollins, provided an update to members on progress with the imports of day-old chicks for the purpose of replenishing the Island’s stock of egg layers. He advised that of the 3000 chicks imported thus far, the Island’s egg-producing enterprises and smallholders are providing eggs from the first 2000 and the last batch of 1000 are just beginning to come into lay.

A further batch of 1000 chicks will be imported in August to meet the remaining demand from poultry producers. Thereafter, it is planned for the Agriculture & Natural Resources Division (ANRD) to import additional batches of day-old chicks annually at planned intervals to keep the Island near self-sufficient for eggs.

Members were advised that a review of policy for the use and management of the SHG Agricultural Estate has been undertaken by ANRD. The key issues and recommendations arising from the review are being consulted on with agricultural producers via the Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Group.

The Committee discussed the need to be ‘cable-ready’ in advance of the fibre optic cable landing. In order to continue the work plan beyond complying with the European Development Fund (EDF) milestones, it was agreed for some public consultation to be undertaken to understand what the public’s expectations of life post-cable would be. Under the heading ‘realising the benefits of the digital strategy’ a workshop would be organised on Wednesday, 3 July, at the Museum alongside an online questionnaire available via: www.bit.ly/sthelenacable. The aim of this exercise would be to develop a vision of what the essential outcomes, following the cable landing, will be.

Enterprise St Helena (ESH) gave a brief update on the report presented for May 2019, during which it was noted that the refurbishment work to the Canister had progressed well and that the Tourism Office has now reopened as a result. It was noted that further work was due to be undertaken to pavements at the rear of the building, which would include establishing disabled access. It was also noted that the ‘Flash Sale’ on flights, alongside local accommodation discounts, appeared to be generating a positive response with 40 bookings made within a week of this offer being announced. Work continues on the Investor Prospectus, and also the review of ESH’s Grants Policy. The Island was also being promoted at Experience Africa in London.

#StHelena #EconomicDevelopmentCommittee #MeetingSummary

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SHG
4 July 2019

IDENTIFICATION OF RECOVERED PROPERTY AND WITNESSES OF CRIMINAL DAMAGE

The following is a Public Announcement from the Police Directorate:

St Helena Police are currently investigating a number of incidents which occurred in the Jamestown area on the evening of Saturday, 22 June, into the early hours of Sunday, 23 June 2019. As a result of immediate police action, an individual was arrested and charged with a number of offences.  Various items were also recovered.

Police are now asking for the public’s assistance in identifying some of the property recovered. The items are as follows:

• 1 x black USB stick
• 1 x bottle of spirits
• 1 x glass jar with metal lid and straw

Police are also appealing for witnesses with regards to two instances of Criminal Damage, whereby privately owned vehicles were damaged by having their paintwork deliberately scraped.

One of these vehicles was parked at the public parking stand on Napoleon Street, while the other vehicle was parked close to Reggie’s Take Away on the Grand Parade.

If any member of the public has any information regarding either the recovered property or the Criminal Damage, they are urged to contact Police Headquarters, Coleman House, on tel: 22626 or email: Emergencycontrol@helanta.co.sh.

#StHelena #StHelenaPolice #AppealForInformation

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SHG
3 July 2019

DAMAGE TO WALL ON RUPERT’S ROAD

The following is a Public Announcement from the Police Directorate:

St Helena Police are currently appealing to the public for information regarding damage to the retaining wall on Field Road, better known as Rupert’s Road.

On Saturday, 29 June, at 1.30am, Police Officers on patrol noticed that damage had been caused to the retaining wall on Rupert’s Road. Following enquiries made at the scene, it appears that the cause of the damage is from a vehicle coming into contact with the wall.

The vehicle would have sustained damage likely to the alloy wheel which made contact with the wall. The driver did not stop to report the collision.

Approximately two metres of the wall has been damaged as a result of the collision. This has put other road users at considerable risk as these retaining walls are designed for road user safety and any damage to them causes a hazard to members of the public.

The Police urges anyone with any information regarding this damage to please contact Police Headquarters, Coleman House, on tel: 22626 or email: Emergencycontrol@helanta.co.sh.

#StHelena #StHelenaPolice #AppealForInformation

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SHG
3 July 2019

The following is a Public Announcement from the Education & Employment Directorate:

Prince Andrew School (PAS) is hosting an Open Day today, Wednesday 3 July , from 10am. 

The theme for the Open Day is Careers. Students will remain on timetable, but lessons will include various activities looking at careers based around students’ subjects.

PAS has decided to focus on careers and careers guidance to implement the work that is done in Life Studies, and also to give students further guidance when they are thinking about careers and what they would like to do in future.

All are welcome to come to PAS today to view the school at work. However, due to the nature of the timetable setup, staff will not be available for individual consultation about specific students.

The school will be open from 10am-2pm and then from 4.30pm-6pm for anyone who would like to visit.

SHG
3 July 2019

http://www.sainthelena.gov.sh

The Social & Community Development Committee (SCDC) held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, 12 June 2019.

It was agreed that the Disability Policy – to assess and support the needs of those within the community who require additional support to meet their basic needs – would be reviewed by the Director of Children & Adults Social Care and any proposed changes would follow due process. The current policy is being reviewed via the Social Security Review Working Group.

The Social Security Working Group reported continued progress on the complex piece of work to review the Social Security system and noted the need to feed any likely proposed changes into the Medium Term Expenditure Framework process which covers budget proposals for the next three years.

Work by the Immigration Working Group to review the Immigration Ordinance was likewise progressing well and nearing conclusion and is to be reviewed by an Immigration Official due to visit the Island in July. The public consultation exercise in due course is expected to take about two months.

Landholding forms part of the Immigration Ordinance Review but considerations regarding asylum are not included. However, the Committee noted that the Children & Adults Social Care Directorate is picking up on the Social Care aspects of this matter.

The recruitment exercise for carers was progressing well and to date four of the persons interviewed have been successful. The Committee supported the Directorate’s proactive approach to recruitment which will be ongoing and using all available media channels.

The Social & Community Development Committee consists of voting members Councillors Anthony Green (Chairman), Cyril Leo (Deputy Chairman), Kylie Hercules, Derek Thomas and Gavin Ellick and Non-Voting Members, Director of Children and Adults Social Care, Tracy Pool-Nandy, and Deputy Chief Secretary, Gillian Francis. The Committee Secretary for this meeting was Anne Dillon.

#StHelena #SCDC #MeetingSummary

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SHG
2 July 2019

UPDATE

• Island-wide water restrictions see significant reduction in water consumption levels and slight gain in stored water
• Reservoirs levels remain dangerously low
• There is still no surface water runoff going into the Island reservoirs
• This is an Island-wide issue and until the situation improves we must all restrict our water usage to essential use only

 A great effort by the St Helena public has seen daily water consumption reduce by over 150,000 litres compared to Monday, 24 June 2019, when Connect Saint Helena Ltd (CSH) enforced Island-wide water restrictions. While this is encouraging, St Helena water levels remain dangerously low (see photo attached) and the public is urged to continue to keep consumption as low as possible.

There has been a very slight increase of 2% in stored water over the past week, due mostly to this reduced water consumption rather than an increase in rainfall. Despite this, over the month of June, the water levels in Island reservoirs have decreased by an average of 190,000 litres daily. This trend cannot continue.

To preserve our precious resource it is important that we continue to cut down our water use to essential use only. Despite some recent rainfall, surface water runoff has not increased, meaning there has not been enough rain to runoff into the reservoirs. At least two weeks of continuous meaningful rainfall is needed to make a positive difference in reservoir levels.

CSH is continuing to utilise other sources of water – tanks, boreholes & springs – and has seen an increase in efficiency with regards to pumping from the boreholes. They will continue back-pumping from Chubbs Spring to Red Hill and also bowsering from Jamestown to sustain available resources.

It is everyone’s responsibility to take great care in using our water and consumers are urged to reduce consumption wherever possible. St Helena residents, businesses and people who use water for agricultural purposes are also urged to exercise great care and restraint when using water.

Regular updates on reservoir levels will be issued to the public.

If you see anyone using water irresponsibly or notice a burst pipe or leak then please inform CSH immediately.

Every drop counts, every action counts – Everyone must save every drop of water possible.

#StHelena #WaterShortage #EveryDropCounts  

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St Helena Resilience Forum
2 July 2019