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The St Helena Ambulance Service and General Hospital recently took receipt of a substantial donation of medical, major incident and training equipment. This was kindly donated by the UK based charity, Pre-Hospital Care and Aid Worldwide (PHCAW), an organisation providing care, training and equipment around the world.
Over the next few months, the Senior Paramedic team will begin delivering Qualsafe Awards regulated courses in emergency care, life support and first aid to the Island’s emergency services. The equipment will provide valuable capacity to provide immersive and high-quality training to first responders and hospital staff as part of this work.
The donation was organised between the Health Services Directorates’ Senior Paramedic, Thomas Attewell, and Founder of PHCAW, Michael Bot. The equipment donated included simulation manikins, a rescue basket, stretchers, a specialist vacuum stretcher, drip stands, traction splints, major incident kit bags, 12 suction units and over 180 anatomy and physiology books.
Alongside the ongoing health transformation program, this kind donation will help to move towards achieving one of the key priority objectives in the SHG Strategy and Vision 2022-2025 of “developing a safe and reliable health service”.
Senior Paramedic, Thomas Attewell, commented:
“We are incredibly grateful for the donation from Michael at PHCAW, who has provided such a substantial amount of equipment that we can continue to improve our service delivery for providing pre-hospital emergency care to the Island. What arrived on the final MV Helena voyage was more than we could have expected, and for that we are incredibly grateful to Michael and his team.”
Founder of PHCAW and Paramedic, Michael Bot, added:
“Our donation to St Helena is part of our global initiative to provide and support the education of emergency responders, and we are delighted to be able to support the paramedics already on-Island to deliver their training and provide emergency care. We are honoured to have been able to support a British Overseas Territory, which is a first for our organisation, and hope that the equipment helps to save lives for many years to come.”
#StHelena #Donation #PHCAW
SHG
17 February 2023
Over the next year the Health Services Directorate will be offering free testing for bowel cancer for anyone aged 50-74 years.
From Wednesday, 22February 2023, those who were born in 1949 can pick up a home test from the Hospital Reception.
Those who were born in 1948 can continue to pick up a home test from the Hospital Reception.
The Hospital Reception is open from 8am to 9pm, seven days per week.
If you are not sure whether you wish to take the test, we suggest that you collect the test which has a sheet explaining the test, and then decide if you wish to take it.
The test has full instructions on how to use it, and once you have completed your test you can drop it back into the box at Reception.
Results from your test will be provided within four weeks, and you may be called in to speak to a doctor about these if necessary.
If you have any questions about this campaign please call the hospital on 25888. Alternatively please speak to your GP.
The Health Services Directorate will continue to call groups of people for testing in age order, and will publish a public announcement when the test kits for your age group are ready to be picked up.
Notes to Editor:
Bowel cancer is common on the Island and in most cases (9/10) is caused by polyps in the bowel. Bowel polyps are small growths on the inner lining of the large intestine (colon) or rectum. Bowel polyps are very common, and affect around 1 in 4 people aged 50 or over.
The Health Services Directorate can detect polyps by testing your poo for blood using a simple test. When detected early, bowel cancer survival rates are very high (around 90%), so getting tested is very important.
#StHelena #BowelCancer
SHG
17 February 2023
Members of the public will be aware that on Friday 20 January 2023, SHG enacted its emergency planning protocols and convened an Incident Command and Control Group.
This was in response to the report the previous day that a major fault had been experienced at the Power Station. The fault meant that Generator No.1 was out of service and no longer operational, resulting in only two generators being available to provide power to the Island. This resulted in a significant risk that should any further faults be experienced there would not be sufficient power generation capacity to meet the Island demand.
Following the arrival of a replacement part, it was confirmed on Tuesday 07 February that Generator No.1 had been repaired and was therefore operational again.
The power generation system continues to be monitored and Connect remain confident that the original issue has now been successfully addressed.
Given there is no longer an immediate risk to the energy supply across the Island, in line with SHG’s emergency planning procedures the Incident Command and Control Group has been stood down by the Gold Commander, the Chief Secretary, Susan O’Bey.
A review and evaluation session will be held for all those involved to assess what went well and what could have been done differently. This will ensure that the valuable lessons learned are taken into account, putting the Island in a stronger position should we find ourselves in a similar extraordinary situation in the future.
Thanks are again extended to the team at the Power Station for their hard work in ensuring minimal disruption to the power supply during the last four weeks, and for returning the Power Station to standard operations.
Any queries on this matter can be directed to Connect by phone on 22255 or by email through enquiries@connect.co.sh.
Note to Editor:
Incident Command and Control Groups are brought together during a major incident or a situation that could lead to a major incident to ensure that key stakeholders are suitably prepared to respond quickly and effectively. In line with SHG’s Major Incident Response Plan the group was led by the Chief Secretary, Susan O’Bey, and was formed of key officials from Connect St Helena Ltd, the emergency services and SHG.
During a major incident or a situation that could lead to a major incident the model for Command, Control and Coordination will broadly follow the UK principles of command and control (i.e. Gold (Strategic), Silver (Tactical) and Bronze (Operational)).
These groups assess the risks and mitigate them as far as possible during an incident, with the key aims of, working together, saving lives and reducing harm, before restoring the community to a state of normality as soon as possible.
More information about how this works in practice is contained in the SHG Major Incident Response Plan, which has been developed on the principles of Integrated Emergency Management, those being: Anticipation, Assessment, Prevention, Preparation, Response and Recovery. The plan can be viewed on the SHG website via www.sainthelena.gov.sh/portfolios/safety-security-and-home-affairs/emergency-planning/.
SHG
17 February 2023
Careers Fair 2023 was held at Prince Andrew School Hall between 10am and 8.30pm on Wednesday, 15 February 2023.The Fair was originally due to be held in October 2022, but was postponed due to COVID.
The Fair provides members of the public, students and job seekers with a chance to meet employers face-to-face and gain a real insight into the requirements for different careers on the Island. The Fair also highlights opportunities available and allows participants to market themselves to prospective employers.
During the opening of the fair, welcome and brief remarks were given by HE Governor Nigel Phillips CBE; Chief Minister, Julie Thomas; and Fair Coordinator, Cynthia Bennett.
HE Governor Nigel Phillips CBE gave an inspirational speech and spoke about his varied career path, from serving in the Royal Air Force to becoming Governor of the Falkland Islands and now St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
Chief Minister, Julie Thomas, encouraged attendees to utilise the fair to engage with the businesses and organisations and to recognise the different possible career pathways available to them.
Development Coordinator at Career Access, Cynthia Bennett, has been the lead on the Careers Fair for over 12 years and is due to retire next month. In her speech Cynthia gave special thanks to all the stallholders and the Careers Fair Working Group.
A special mention was given to Mr Colin (Skipper) Lawrence who attended the Fair and displayed a number of woodwork items created by the late Mr William (Billy) Yon, in the hope that the skill of woodturning can be revived on the Island. Billy Yon participated in and displayed the items at the first ever Careers Fair held at the Consulate Hotel in 1999.
Businesses and organisations taking part in the Fair included various SHG Portfolios and sections, Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc, Saint Helena Airport Ltd, the Saint Helena National Trust, Bank of St Helena, Travel St Helena Ltd, External Audit Service, Chevening and SHAPE.
Presentations were delivered by the Royal Navy, Attorney General’s Chambers, Social Care, the Education, Skills & Employment Portfolio, Legislative Council, Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc, and the St Helena Fire & Rescue Service.
Demonstrations throughout the day were delivered by the St Helena Fire & Rescue Service and the Health Services Directorate.
#StHelena #Education #PAS #Career #CareersFair2023
SHG
16 February 2023
The Environment, Natural Resources & Planning Portfolio (ENRP) would like to remind the public that persons requiring veterinary and livestock assistance after normal working hours should call telephone number: 26162 to get the individual providing out of hourscover.The public are askedto refrain from calling staff at home to enquire who is on call.
During working hours staff can be contacted via the ENRP Reception on telephone number: 24724.
SHG
16 February 2023
Waste Management Services (WMS) would like to advise the public that in the coming weeks, communal recycling hubs will be trailled within the Half Tree Hollow, St Pauls and Sandy Bay districts. These recycling hubs will be located at:
Nr Leon Plato’s residence, Half Tree Hollow
Andys Shop, Half Tree Hollow
Solomons Supermarket, Half Tree Hollow
New Ground Point, St Pauls
Cleughs Plain, St Pauls
Kingshurst Community Centre, St Pauls
Bagley’s Point, Sandy Bay
These recycling hubs will consist of separate wheelie bins colour coded for different types of recycling. The different coloured bins will be labelled, but are:
Red Wheelie Bin – Glass
Grey Wheelie Bin – Plastics
Blue Wheelie Bin – Cans and Tins (Aluminium)
These will be monitored and collected by a dedicated vehicle and transported to Horse Point Landfill Site. Once there, they will be sorted into the relevant waste stream and recycled. Recycling will consist of baling and local use, or baling and exportation to South Africa.
The overall goal is to reduce the amount of waste which is landfilled. Implementing this new service will achieve a key objective in SHG’s Vision and Strategy 2023-2025, further delivering on the ‘Altogether Greener’ strategic priority.
A further press release will be issued once all of the hubs have been established, but if you would like any more information in the meantime then please contact Environmental Officer Risk Management, Terri Clingham, by tel: 24724 or by email: terri.clingham@sainthelena.gov.sh.
#StHelena #Recycling #AltogetherGreener
SHG
16 February 2023
EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT PORTFOLIO OFFICE CLOSURE
Please be advised that the following Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio establishments will be closed on the 15February 2023.
Education Learning Centre, St Helena Community College, St Helena Research Institute, Career Access and the Public Library
Normal opening hours will resume on the 16February 2023
SHG
15 February 2023
An open session meeting of Governor in Council will take place on Tuesday, 21 February 2023, at 9.30am in the Council Chamber, Jamestown, to consider an application for development permission for the proposed balcony and verandah at the Yacht Club, the Wharf, Jamestown, and for the proposed construction of a reservoir and expansion to an existing reservoir at High Ridge, Levelwood.
Documentation for this meeting is available on the Executive Council page of the St Helena Government website via: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/executive-council/.
Members of the public who would like to view hard copies of the documents should contact Secretary to Executive Council, Natasha Bargo, at the Castle on tel: 22470 or via email: natasha.bargo@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Governor in Council comprises the Governor, Nigel Phillips CBE, Chief Minister, Julie Thomas, and Ministers Christine Scipio, Martin Henry, Mark Brooks and Jeffrey Ellick. The Attorney General is a non-voting member of Governor in Council.
#StHelena #GovernorInCouncil #PlanningProposals
SHG
13 February 2023
Councillor Ronald Coleman and Deputy Speaker Catherine (Cathy) Cranfield received certificates for participating in the virtual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) British Islands and Mediterranean Region (BIMR) Election Observation Training.
The training was delivered virtually over a two-day period by trainers Anne Serafini, Mark Stevens and Fleur ten Hacken. It covered a number of topics and issues related to election observation and consisted of theoretical and practical learning alongside group discussions.
In addition to St Helena, delegations from the legislatures of Alderney, Anguilla, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Malta, Montserrat, Namibia, Turks and Caicos Islands, the UK and Wales participated in the training.
The programme aimed to increase the capacity of parliamentarians in the Commonwealth to take part in CPA BIMR election observation missions in the future. Election observation in the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies is an important part of CPA UK’s work. Recommendations by election observers are most commonly aimed at improving democratic processes around the many Commonwealth jurisdictions.
Councillor Ronald Coleman explained:
“Various speakers went through the declaration of principles and the code of conduct for international election observers and the media standards ordinance for elections, which dealt with how elections are held or should be held. We also covered the processes and procedures and what we should be observing or looking out for whilst an election is being conducted, so that as observers we can be confident the systems in place are fair and that there is indeed a secret ballot.”
“Most of the procedures were similar or the same as in St Helena but in some jurisdictions there is also mobile voting where the ballot box is taken to care homes or Hospitals and include postal vote, which is something that could be considered in St Helena going forward.”
Deputy Speaker, Cathy Cranfield, commented:
“This interactive group training was very engaging and identified key activities for observation. The certificate will allow me to take advantage of possible opportunities to join an observation team for future short-term election observations, not just on-Island but also beyond St Helena’s shores.”
“Thanks are extended to the CPA for this training opportunity. Election observation is a valuable tool for improving the quality of elections and helping to build public confidence in the honesty of electoral processes.”
The Hon Speaker of the House of Legislative Council, Cyril Gunnell, concluded:
“I am very grateful to CPA Headquarters for again extending election observation training to St Helena. Election observers observe the conduct of the election voting process, and in doing so promote and protect democracy. The role is incredibly important in helping to ensure accountability. Councillor Coleman and Deputy Speaker Cranfield had no hesitation accepting the training, and on behalf of the Legislative Council I congratulate them joining others now qualified to observe at elections.”
#StHelena #CPA #ElectionObservation
SHG
13 February 2023
The Health Services Directorate is offering free testing for bowel cancer for anyone aged 50-74 years.
The Health Services Directorate are encouraging those who were born in 1948 to pick up a test from the Hospital reception between now and Monday, 20 February 2023.
The Hospital Reception is open from 8am to 9pm, seven days per week.
If you are not sure whether you wish to take the test, we suggest that you collect the test which has a sheet explaining the test and then decide if you wish to take it.
The test has full instructions on how to use it, and once you have completed your test you can drop it back into the box at reception.
Results will be provided within four weeks, and you may be called in to speak to a doctor about these if necessary.
If you have any questions about this campaign please call the hospital on 25888. Alternatively please speak to your GP.
The Health Services Directorate will continue to call groups of people for testing in age order, and will publish a public announcement when the test kits for your age group are ready to be picked up.
Notes to Editor:
Bowel cancer is common on the Island and in most cases (9/10) is caused by polyps in the bowel. Bowel polyps are small growths on the inner lining of the large intestine (colon) or rectum. Bowel polyps are very common, and affect around 1 in 4 people aged 50 or over.
The Health Services Directorate can detect polyps by testing your poo for blood using a simple test. When detected early, bowel cancer survival rates are very high (around 90%), so getting tested is very important.
SHG
10 February 2023