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The Health and Social Care Portfolio (HSC) is pleased to announce the relocation and integration of two of our clinical services to better serve our community.
Service Integration
Effective immediately, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy services have moved and are now co-located as a single, unified Rehabilitation Department. This move is designed to provide a more seamless and collaborative care experience for our clients.
New Location
The Rehabilitation Department is now located at the General Hospital, occupying the space previously known as the Health Education Centre (Classroom).
Contact Information
For appointments, referrals, or general inquiries, please use the following contact details:
- Phone: 22500
- Point of Contact: Please report to the General Hospital Reception upon arrival.
A Note to Our Clients
The team is currently in the process of finalising the setup of a new clinic space. We are working diligently to resume full operations and address our existing client requirements.
We kindly ask for your patience and understanding as we work through the current waiting list during this transition period.
The Health and Social Care Portfolio (HSC) is issuing this notice to inform the public about a significant and early influenza (‘flu) threat this December.
Increased Risk of Early Outbreak
The UK is currently experiencing a severe and unusually early ‘flu season. With the high volume of visitors arriving in December from the northern hemisphere, St Helena is likely to be affected by the Northern Hemisphere virus. Please note:
- A new variant is circulating in the UK, which is causing high case numbers, including among children and young people.
- This new variant means that protection from previous infection or past vaccinations may be limited.
- Given the influx of visitors, we anticipate that an outbreak of ‘flu on St Helena is highly likely in the near future.
Vaccine Supply Update
HSC has been working to secure a supply of the Northern Hemisphere ‘flu vaccine since October. Unfortunately, we were informed last week that the vaccine will not be available until February 2026.
While the HSC would ideally vaccinate vulnerable people, this delay means the vaccine would arrive too late for the expected December/January outbreak. We want to be clear that the vaccine, even if available, offers only partial protection against the new variant, though it is still advised in the UK for certain groups.
Symptoms and Treatment
‘Flu symptoms can vary widely. Whilst some people will only have minor symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, headache), others may experience:
- High fever
- Severe muscle aches
- Fatigue/Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
A small number of people, particularly the elderly or those with chronic lung conditions, may require hospital admission.
Treatment: There are no effective antiviral treatments for the general public. For most people, treatment involves:
- Resting
- Taking Paracetamol or Ibuprofen to relieve aches, sore throat, and fever.
Protect Yourself and Others: Essential Infection Control
The ‘flu virus spreads in the same way as COVID-19: through coughs, sneezes (airborne), and by touching contaminated surfaces. We must apply the basic infection control measures we all learned during the pandemic:
| Situation | Action to Take |
| If you are unwell and coughing/sneezing | STAY HOME and avoid contact with others, especially the elderly and vulnerable. |
| If you must go out while unwell | WEAR A MASK to significantly prevent the spread of droplets. |
| General Prevention | Regular and thorough hand washing or sanitising. |
| When coughing or sneezing (if no mask) | Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow. |
The HSC will be actively monitoring the ‘flu situation and will provide regular updates. Your cooperation with these measures is vital to protect our community.
#StHelena #FluOutbreak #AltogetherHealthier
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
World Civil Aviation Day, established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 1994, highlights the important role of civil aviation in the global economy and in fostering international cooperation. Each year, the ICAO designates a theme to focus on key areas within aviation such as safety, sustainability, innovation, and connectivity.
The theme of World Civil Aviation Day 2025 is “Aviation for Sustainable Development: Connecting the World” which will be celebrated on Sunday, 7 December.
For St Helena, a remote island with a long history of isolation, air connectivity has transformed life on the island. Until recently, the island’s residents and visitors had to rely on lengthy sea voyages, which could take days or even weeks. The inauguration of St Helena’s first regular air service in 2017 marked a significant milestone, reducing travel time and opening up opportunities for tourism, business, and communication.
On this International Civil Aviation Day, we proudly join the global aviation community in recognisingthe vital role civil aviation plays in connecting people, places, and possibilities.
St Helena Airport’s success is the result of strong collaboration from the airline, the regulator, local partners, staff, and the wider community. Together, we ensure the delivery of safe, reliable, and sustainable air services for our island and beyond.
Gwyneth Howell, CEO and Accountable Officer said:
“We celebrate this day with gratitude for the teamwork that keeps our skies open and our connections strong.”
Hon Karl Thrower, Minister for Economic Development and Environment, Natural Resources and Planning said:
“As we reflect on the tremendous progress made in aviation over the past eight years, we are proud of how St Helena Airport has opened our island to the world. We look forward to continuing this journey of collaboration with our international partners, ensuring that aviation remains a positive force in our island’s development.”
#StHelena #InternationalCivilAviationDay
SHG
7 December 2025
The St Helena Government (SHG) is pleased to announce the official launch of its redesigned website on Thursday, 11 December 2025. This significant digital overhaul marks a major step forward in improving the island’s digital presence and the way SHG communicates essential information about the government, public services, and the island itself.
The redevelopment has focused on improving how the website works in terms of its structure, navigation, accessibility, and the overall user experience, rather than changing the substance of its content. This means users will benefit from a clearer, more intuitive site from day one, while any content updates can be made after launch without difficulty or disruption.
The refreshed platform is designed to be more user-friendly, more accessible, and easier to navigate for the public and for internal users.
Key Features of the Refreshed Website
The site now includes several major enhancements designed to help users find information more quickly and efficiently:
- Improved Navigation: A clearer layout with a more intuitive flow, allowing visitors to find key information about SHG Portfolios and services faster.
- Better Accessibility: A responsive design that improves performance and viewing experience across all devices, including desktop, tablet, and mobile.
- Improved Search Functionality: A new search engine that allows users to filter results by Portfolio, document type, or topic, saving valuable time.
- Enhanced Visuals: A more engaging design that reflects SHG’s visual identity and incorporates elements of the island’s unique culture and heritage.
Digital Transformation for the Public
Crucially, the new platform introduces features that will facilitate future digital service delivery:
- Subscriptions and Payments: The ability for the public to directly subscribe to official communications (like newsletters) and, as part of ongoing work, the future ability to make online payments for certain government services directly via the website.
- Form Completion and Submission System: Users will be able to submit available government forms directly through the website with a view to eventually being able to move all SHG forms to digital fill, sign, and submission via the website.
- Realtime Feedback System: A new tool integrated into various sections of the website allowing users to instantly submit comments, report issues, or provide valuable feedback on services.
Possible Website Downtime
The official launch of the new SHG website is scheduled for 11 December 2025, however the transition to the new site is set to occur on Wednesday, 10 December 2025. During this transition period, there may be brief instances of inaccessibility to the SHG website, and external links to the site from our press releases and social media pages may be temporarily unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause and would like to assure our users that all efforts will be made to minimise this downtime.
SHG encourages everyone to explore the new site structure and design, launching Wednesday at www.sainthelena.gov.sh.
We invite the public to submit constructive feedback through our official designated channels (e.g. Public Service Delivery Survey, Report It, Sort It, or email the Comms Hub through communications@sainthelena.gov.sh) to assist in the continued improvement of the site.
#StHelena #OfficialWebsite #Relaunch
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
SHG
10 December 2025
Reference: CS-1997-SHG
St Helena Government would like to invite suitably qualified contractors to submit a Tender for the main works for the rehabilitation of the infrastructure at Harford School.
Full documentation and the specifications can be found on the SHG e-procurement system which can be accessed via: https://intendhost.co.uk/sainthelena/aspx/Home following registration on the system. User guides are available via the ‘Supplier Information’ tab to assist prospective contractors registering on the e-procurement system.
If contractors would like a hard copy of the tender documentation, they should contact the Project Manager, Lesa Davidson, on tel no: 22270 or email : Julian.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Tender submissions should be made via the e-procurement system, and the tender deadline has been extended to 12:00 on Friday 9 January 2025.
Contractors should note that this tender is not being advertised overseas.
NOTE TO EDITOR:
This project has been approved for funding under the UK funded Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP), in partnership with the FCDO.
response to complaints raised with SHG regarding the operations of the fishing vessel St Albatros, we committed to providing a public response.
Following an investigation conducted by Crown Counsel, the St Albatros and its operations have been found to be compliant with our international fishing commitments with the exception of the following two errors by SHG:
- Notification to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) that Ruperts Port was being utilised to land catches made by an internationally flagged vessel; and
- An appropriate access agreement being in place between SHG and South Africa, given that the vessel was sailing under a South African flag.
These errors are now considered historic, given that St Albatros is currently operating under the St Helena flag.
The errors were made by the Public Service and arise from the ambiguities between local Ordinance and ICCAT rules. However, we have been advised that the errors are considered to be minor, administrative issues.
Nonetheless, they should not have happened and I would like to apologise to all of those concerned, whether directly, indirectly or as islanders who simply expect the highest standards from their Public Service. We are reporting these errors to ICCAT to ensure accountability in our fishing sector and will learn from these errors to ensure that they do not happen again.
We are now committed to supporting the comprehensive fishing sector review announced by Minister Thrower, and consider this matter closed.
#StHelena #FishingSector
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
Ian Todd
Chief Secretary and Head of the Public Service
World Civil Aviation Day, established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 1994, highlights the important role of civil aviation in the global economy and in fostering international cooperation. Each year, the ICAO designates a theme to focus on key areas within aviation such as safety, sustainability, innovation, and connectivity.
The theme of World Civil Aviation Day 2025 is “Aviation for Sustainable Development: Connecting the World” which will be celebrated on Sunday, 7 December.
For St Helena, a remote island with a long history of isolation, air connectivity has transformed life on the island. Until recently, the island’s residents and visitors had to rely on lengthy sea voyages, which could take days or even weeks. The inauguration of St Helena’s first regular air service in 2017 marked a significant milestone, reducing travel time and opening up opportunities for tourism, business, and communication.
On this International Civil Aviation Day, we proudly join the global aviation community in recognisingthe vital role civil aviation plays in connecting people, places, and possibilities.
St Helena Airport’s success is the result of strong collaboration from the airline, the regulator, local partners, staff, and the wider community. Together, we ensure the delivery of safe, reliable, and sustainable air services for our island and beyond.
Gwyneth Howell, CEO and Accountable Officer said:
“We celebrate this day with gratitude for the teamwork that keeps our skies open and our connections strong.”
Hon Karl Thrower, Minister for Economic Development and Environment, Natural Resources and Planning said:
“As we reflect on the tremendous progress made in aviation over the past eight years, we are proud of how St Helena Airport has opened our island to the world. We look forward to continuing this journey of collaboration with our international partners, ensuring that aviation remains a positive force in our island’s development.”
#StHelena #InternationalCivilAviationDay
Reference CS-1730-SHG
St Helena Government is seeking expressions of interest for the provision of cleaning services for SHG premises.
Full documentation and the specifications can be found on the St Helena Government e-procurement system which can be accessed via: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/sainthelena following registration on the system.
User guides are available via the ‘Supplier Information’ tab to assist prospective suppliers registering on the e-Procurement system.
All communication, clarifications, general questions and submissions of your responses must be made via the e-Procurement Portal.
Please refer to the e-Procurement System for the key dates, including the tender submission date.
The deadline for submission of expressions of interest is 12 noon on Monday, 5 January 2026.
Interested parties should note that this opportunity is not being advertised overseas.
St Helena Government (SHG), working alongside Connect St Helena, has released tender documents for the fabrication and installation of two new wastewater treatment plants at the proposed locations of The Guns, Ladder Hill and The Sand Yard, Jamestown marking a significant step forward in upgrading the island’s wastewater infrastructure.
This marks an exciting step forward in modernising the island’s wastewater infrastructure. The new plants will support improved environmental protection, strengthen public health outcomes, and ensure more sustainable wastewater management for our communities.
This project forms part of the £30 million Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP), funded by the UK Government. Through EDIP, SHG remains committed to delivering essential infrastructure upgrades that improve quality of life and support St Helena’s long-term development.
The Project Management team invites the public to a drop-in session to discuss the project. This is an opportunity to get updates, ask questions, and provide feedback directly to the team.
- Date and Time: Thursday, 11 December 2025, 09:00 – 13:00
- Location: The Canister
For further information on this project, please send enquiries to: Richard.Wotton@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Photo
A map showing the proposed locations of the wastewater treatment plants
#StHelena #WastewaterTreatmentPlant
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
As St Helena prepares for the joyous atmosphere of the festive season, St Helena Government (SHG) urges all residents and visitors to prioritise road safety and make responsible choices when travelling and socialising. The message is clear: Road Safety is Your Responsibility.
The holiday period in December brings with it increased activity, with more people on the island and potentially inexperienced drivers on the road. This rise in road usage necessitates greater caution and vigilance from everyone.
Key Road Safety Messages for the Festive Season:
- Vehicle Roadworthiness Checks: Before setting out, especially for longer journeys, ensure your vehicle is in good working order.
- Tyres: Check the tread depth and pressure of your tyres. Properly inflated tyres with sufficient tread are crucial for safe braking and handling.
- Lights: Check that all headlights, brake lights, and indicators are clean and functioning correctly.
- Fluid Levels: Ensure your oil, coolant, and windscreen washer fluid levels are adequate.
- Do not use your mobile phone whilst driving, it is an offence: Using a mobile phone while driving significantly impairs your ability to focus on the road.
- It can take up to 30 seconds to regain your full focus after a significant distraction.
- This distraction slows your reaction time and can lead to inappropriate speed and poor spatial awareness. Your attention must be fully on the task of driving.
- Be Alert and Attentive: With increased traffic levels, stay focused on the road at all times. Avoid distractions and maintain a keen awareness of other vehicles, pedestrians, and island hazards.
- Allow More Travel Time: Roads can be busier than usual. Plan your journeys well in advance and allow extra time for travel to avoid rushing and making unsafe decisions.
- Exercise Caution at Hotspots: Take extra care at road junctions and areas where roads are narrower. Reduce your speed and be prepared to yield, particularly in known traffic bottlenecks.
- Maintain a Safe Following Distance: The increase in road users means you should leave ample space between your vehicle and the one ahead to allow for sudden stops or unexpected manoeuvres.
- Practice Courtesy: Be patient and courteous to fellow drivers, especially those who may be unfamiliar with the island’s roads. Cooperation helps keep traffic flowing safely.
SHG reminds the public that enforcement patrols will be active throughout the festive period. Choosing to drive carelessly risks not only legal consequences but, more tragically, causing serious injury or death.
Remember: Your choice behind the wheel impacts everyone on the road. Drive safe. Drive responsibly.
#StHelena #RoadSafety #AltogetherSafer