His Excellency, Governor Nigel Phillips CBE, will depart St Helena on Saturday 22 June 2024.
Stephen Thwaites, Development Attaché, will be sworn in as Acting Governor until Tasha Harris’ return to St Helena on 29 June.
Upon her return to the island, Tasha Harris, Head of the Governor’s Office, will be sworn in as Acting Governor until Governor Phillips’ return.
Governor Phillips is due to return to St Helena on Saturday 13 July 2024.
#StHelena #GovernorDeparts
In a Proclamation issued today, Monday 17 June 2024, Governor Nigel Phillips CBE, acting in accordance with the advice of the Chief Minister, has announced that a bye-election to fill the vacant seat on Legislative Council (following the resignation of Rosemary Bargo on 31 May) will take place on Wednesday 14 August 2024.
The Extraordinary Gazette Notice can be viewed on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/EX-GAZ-43-Proclamation-Bye-Election.pdf.
Further details about the bye-election will be announced in the coming weeks.
#StHelena #Bye-Election #LegisativeCouncil
On Friday 22 September 2023, SHG announced that an independently operated clinical negligence compensation scheme would be established to process and manage claims arising from treatment provided by Mr Sergio Villatoro-Bran. It had been discussed that the scheme include another doctor but SHG has decided to limit the scheme at present to patients of Mr Villatoro-Bran but retaining an option to extend the scope.
Weightmans Solicitors were appointed by SHG to develop a compensation scheme that is cost-effective and equitable, for both claimants and St Helena as a whole.
SHG remains committed to delivering a scheme where claims will be assessed and decided by experts independently of SHG, at the same time as:
Since September 2023, Weightmans, on behalf of SHG, have had extensive discussions with Hugh James Solicitors and the Public Solicitors Office about the development of a scheme. No other solicitor firms have expressed an interest in contributing to the discussions.
Hugh James Solicitors and the Public Solicitors Office have had a significant influence over the development of the scheme on behalf of their clients, and SHG is grateful for their contribution.
Balancing the needs of those who have suffered injury with the interests of the population as a whole is a significant challenge. However, SHG is confident that this can be achieved, and continues to work towards a scheme which will achieve this.
#StHelena #CompensationScheme
Acting in accordance with section 5(2) of the Public Holidays Ordinance, 1945, His
Excellency the Governor, has directed that Friday 15 November 2024, shall be observed as a public holiday to mark the occasion of the birthday of His Majesty King Charles III.
A Public Notice was issued to this effect on Monday 3 June 2024.
StHelena #PublicHoliday
Port Control recently completed a comprehensive training program to enhance safety and efficiency in crane operations at the port. This initiative follows an internal audit and underscores SHG’s commitment to ensuring the safe and reliable handling of critical cargo supplies.
Delivered by Andrew Morgan from Certex UK, the three-week program covered essential areas:
Acting Harbourmaster, Simon Wade commented:
“I’m very pleased that we were able to achieve this training. This has now given us the capability to conduct inspections of lifting equipment that are key in bringing in the island’s critical supplies. I would like to say thank you to the staff who participated in the training and the trainer for delivering it.”
Photos
#StHelena #PortControl #EssentialTraining
Peak Demand Season
St Helena’s air service provision with Airlink operates as a scheduled weekly service between Johannesburg and St Helena and a monthly inter-island service with Ascension Island.
In November 2023 SHG announced the 2024-25 peak season mid-week flights (Tuesday Johannesburg flights) and the reintroduction of Cape Town flights (Saturday flights). Following assessment of the current and forecast demand for these flights and discussions with Airlink and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) it has been decided to remove the March 2025 Tuesday Johannesburg flights to maximise value from the air service.
Flights as per the attached schedule are available in the global reservation systems 360 days prior to departure.
Historical data indicates that the peak demand season is from December to March; however, the tourism landscape has changed since the COVID pandemic, and it should be noted that 2023 was just the third full year of air access-based tourism. The disruption of the last few years has affected accurate forecasting of future demand and although St Helena is recovering well, it is still in tourism recovery phase.
Through the Tourism Recovery Strategy (2022-2024), SHG are actively working to recover the industry from the impacts of the pandemic. In terms of arrivals, as of April 2024, we were 88% recovered against 2019/20 (the island’s best year for tourism), and visitor spend is now estimated to be up to £7 million, on par with pre-pandemic expenditure figures.
To further develop St Helena as a tourism destination and increase visitor numbers, work is ongoing to improve tourism infrastructure, increase marketing efforts, and address capacity constraints on the island through training and up-skilling programmes. This work is supported by another round of ring-fenced funding for year two of the Tourism Development Programme (2024-25).
Tickets for travel between South Africa and St Helena are available online, via the Airlink website at www.flyairlink.com and through all International Air Transport Association (IATA) travel agents.
For residents of St Helena, ticket bookings can be made via Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc’s Shipping & Travel Agency at the Malabar in Jamestown. Passengers can visit the Shipping & Travel Agency in person or contact them via email through travelagent@solomons.co.sh or by telephone on 22523.
Tickets for travel on the inter-island service between St Helena and Ascension are available through the AIG Travel Office. Passengers can contact the Travel Office via email through flight.bookings@ascension.gov.ac or by telephone on +247 67000 ext 1111.
SHG
11 June 2024
Airlink Flight Schedule South Africa – HLE – South Africa (including ASI) Jun 2024 – April 2025
In honour of World Blood Donor Day this Friday, 14 June 2024, the Health Laboratory team is hosting a blood donation clinic. Drop in anytime between 9:00 and 16:00 to learn more about blood donation or to donate blood.
What is World Blood Donor Day?
World Blood Donor Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the critical need for safe blood and blood products. It’s also a day to express our immense gratitude to voluntary blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood.
Why donate blood?
Blood donations are essential for saving lives. They help those facing accidents, surgeries, medical conditions like cancer or blood disorders, and chronic illnesses.
Benefits of donating blood
Donating blood offers surprising health benefits for the donor as well. Here are some reasons to consider:
After your donation, you’ll be provided with a refreshing beverage and complimentary blood tests will be offered by the lab.
How much blood is donated?
During a whole blood donation, a little less than one pint (approximately 450ml) of blood is collected.
Who can donate?
Eligibility depends on your blood type. Here’s a quick guide:
Who can receive my blood?
Blood type also determines compatibility for receiving blood:
Want to learn more?
For further information, please contact:
#StHelena #WorldBloodDonorDay #DonateBlood #AltogetherHealthier
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
Diabetes Week is taking place from Monday 10 June to Sunday 16 June 2024. The Health Promotion and Community Nursing teams are dedicated to raising awareness about diabetes throughout the week. The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Talk about the health checks you need when you have diabetes’.
What is Diabetes Week?
Diabetes Week shines a light on the daily realities of living with diabetes, raising awareness about the issues that matter most to people with the condition.
Why do diabetes check-ups matter?
Living with diabetes does not have to be overwhelming. Between managing numbers, tests, and busy schedules, check-ups might seem like a hassle. Regular diabetes check-ups are key to staying healthy and living life on your terms. These check-ups can help:
Visit our information stall at the Jamestown Community Centre from 10:00 to 13:00 on Friday 14 June 2024 to chat with healthcare professionals and get your questions answered. Everyone is welcome.
This information stall aims to engage with the community about diabetes and their health. The flu vaccine will also be offered to diabetic persons.
For more information please contact the Community Nurses or Health Promotion team by telephone on 22500.
#StHelena #DiabetesWeek #HealthPromotion #AltogetherHealthier
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
Following Monday’s presentation of the Appropriation Bill 2024 in the Legislative Council and the budget speech by Minister of the Treasury and Economic Development Portfolios, Mark Brooks, the Budget Book 2024/25 is now available to read on the SHG website via: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Estimates-of-Recurrent-and-Capital-Expenditure-and-Revenue.pdf.
The Budget Book, formally titled Estimates of Recurrent and Capital Expenditure and Revenue 2024/25 – 2026/27, covers the government’s forecasted revenue and expenditure for the 2024/25 financial year.
It covers how much money the government expects to receive and how it intends to spend this. It also explains the assumptions and methodologies applied where the government has costed policy decisions.
Within the Budget Book you will find details about overall government finances as well as portfolio-specific finances.
#StHelena #Budget2024/25 #AltogetherWealthier
SHG
06 June 2024
In April 2022, the general hospital launched a major improvement project to address several operational issues.
This project, funded by ring-fenced financial aid, addressed the following key areas:
The project aimed to achieve key outcomes that included ensuring consistent and reliable service delivery to the public, safeguarding valuable hospital equipment, and generating long-term operational cost savings for the hospital.
Mortuary and Chapel of Rest improvement
Following a competitive tendering process in early 2023, AMD Engineering secured the contract to transform a former medical storage area into a more modern mortuary with an adjoining, accessible Chapel of Rest. The project reached official completion in March 2024, with the mortuary partially operational since November 2023 and the Chapel of Rest becoming fully operational in April 2024. Key improvements to the mortuary include:
Hospital hot water system improvement
Completed in March 2024, Henry’s Construction and Raymond Yon were awarded contracts to install a hot water system and enabling works to provide hot water to areas of the hospital lacking this service. A summary of these improvements are:
Backup power supply
A new generator and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system has been installed to safeguard vital medical equipment against power instability, and ensure a constant power supply throughout the hospital complex.
To expedite the project, SHG employed a procurement strategy that focused on acquiring equipment that would take longer to procure in advance. While this approach facilitated a quicker start to certain installation phases, the manufacturing of custom equipment took longer than initially anticipated.
Commissioning of the UPS and Generator is now successfully complete. The next step is to begin the technical task of connecting the new wiring with the existing hospital electrical system. These works are expected to be completed by June 2024.
#StHelena #Health&SocialCare #NewServiceUpgrades
SHG
06 June 2024