Category: Press Releases

Minister Martin Henry, departed St Helena on 23 September 2023 to represent St Helena at the 66^th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), to be held in Accra, Ghana from 30 September to 6 October 2023.

The theme of the 66^th CPC is ‘Commonwealth Charter Ten Years on: Values and Principles for Parliaments to Uphold.’2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Commonwealth Charter which outlines the principles and values of the Commonwealth. During the 66^th CPC, there will also be a number of additional conferences and meetings which Minister Henry will be involved in, which will include the 39^th CPA Small Branches Conference and the topical debate ‘Food Security and Sustainability in the Commonwealth’.

During his travel to Accra, Minister Henry transited via South Africa. He therefore took this opportunity to spend time with the Island’s off-Island medical services provider.

Whilst Minister Henry is away from the Island, Minister Mark Brooks will cover any urgent matters for the Health & Social Care Portfolio. Minister Henry will remain contactable via email through martin.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh.

SHG
26 September 2023

On Friday 22 September 2023, Dr Sergio Bran was sentenced after pleading guilty to criminal charges brought on the basis of causing avoidable harm to patients. Whilst Dr Bran has accepted and been convicted of criminal activity, there are also a number of cases where there may be civil liability due to medical negligence. The exact number at this time is unknown.

However, given the length of his employment with SHG and the number patients he treated, SHG recognises that there may well be a significant number of persons who will consider seeking to make a claim for damages relating to the treatment they received, and who may have claims for which they deserve to be compensated.

To this end, an independently operated compensation scheme will be established to process and manage claims associated with previous treatment delivered by Dr Bran. SHG have therefore engaged an external law firm with significant experience in these matters to develop and manage the scheme, which will be operated entirely independent of SHG.

What is a compensation scheme?

A compensation scheme is a process for resolving potential claims away from court: it is form of alternative dispute resolution. These are well established in legal systems and are often used in circumstances such as these.

Why are SHG setting up this scheme?

It is recognised that many former patients of Dr Bran may be concerned about care they received. Some of these patients may wish to make a claim for medical negligence.

People potentially making claims based on the care they received by Dr Bran may seek compensation. We believe that setting up a specific compensation scheme devoted to review and decide those claims, along with deciding levels of compensation to be awarded, is a sensible approach by a responsible government.

In providing for a dedicated, experienced and independent team to deal with claims, it is hoped that claimants are able to get justice and achieve a fair outcome in the most cost and time effective, and least stressful, way possible. 

This also means that claimants will not need a lawyer to access the scheme, although they can engage their own legal representatives at their own cost if they want to.

Claimants will still have the option of bringing a claim through the court system, but this can be costly, time consuming and stressful. By setting up an independently managed compensation scheme, claimants will now have an alternative to litigation, which should prove more cost effective for them, and may result in compensation going to them rather than on legal fees.

When will the scheme be established and accessible for claimants?

This is being developed by the chosen UK law firm, at arms’ length from SHG and in collaboration with claimants’ legal representatives. This means that we can’t give a firm timeline at this stage. However, we want the scheme to be established and up and running as soon as possible and expect this to be set up within weeks rather than months.

Doing so will give claimants confidence in how to proceed and what the best option for them might be.

SHG
22 September 2023

The Health Services Directorate is currently offering free testing for bowel cancer for anyone aged 50+ until Friday, 29 September 2023. Those who wish to take the test can call Grace Richards or Anna Bowers on tel: 25818 who will arrange for a test kit to be made available to you.

Everyone offered a test is strongly encouraged to take one. Early detection through testing helps to ensure you stand the best chance of receiving successful treatment where needed.

If you are not sure whether you wish to take the test, we suggest that you request the test kit and read the materials that come with it before deciding if you wish to take it. A short video with instructions on how to take the test is also being televised on the local TV Promo Channel.

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 tel: 25888. Alternatively, please speak to your GP.

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
20 September 2023

Do you want to know how to keep yourself, your family or your business safe on the internet? If you do then why not attend the ‘Staying Safe in Cyberspace’ workshops taking place around the Island.

These workshops are free and open to anyone of any age, wanting to learn more about cyber security and staying safe online. You will learn about different types of cyber security threats, how to identify them, how to respond to them and what safeguards you can put in place to protect yourself, your family and your business.

The next workshop will take place this Thursday, 21 September, at Harford Community Centre from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Other workshops will take place at the:

• Kingshurst Community Centre on Thursday, 28 September, 7pm – 8.30pm

• Blue Hill Community Centre on Thursday, 5October: 7pm – 8.30pm

We look forward to seeing you there! 

SHG
19 September 2023

The sixth meeting of Minister’s Question Time will take place on Tuesday, 26 September 2023, at 10am in the Council Chamber. The meeting is open to members of the public and will be broadcast live via SAMS Radio 1.

The topic for this meeting is ‘Secondary Education’.

A copy of the Order Paper will be published on the SHG Website on Tuesday morning via: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/order-papers/.

Legislative Council  

19 September 2023

The public are invited to note the following dates and times for Councillors’ constituency meetings.  

These meetings are an opportunity for you to meet with your district representative and raise any issues you might have.

You are encouraged to attend the meeting in the district that you live.

Constituency meetings will start at 7.30pm as follows:

Date	Venue	Chairperson
Tuesday, 26 September	Jamestown Community Centre	Councillor G Brooks
Wednesday, 27 September	Harford Community Centre	Councillor Bargo
Tuesday, 3 October *	Kingshurst Community Centre	Councillor Midwinter
Wednesday, 4 October	Sandy Bay Community Centre	Councillor Turner
Wednesday, 4 October	Half Tree Hollow Community Centre	Councillor Coleman
Monday, 9 October	St Mary’s Church, Briars	Councillor Dr Essex
Tuesday, 10 October	Blue Hill Community Centre	Councillor Turner
Wednesday, 11 October	Levelwood Community Centre	Councillor Thrower

Councillors look forward to meeting with you and hearing your views.

*Amended date

Legislative Council

18 September 2023

The Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) has announced that Connect St Helena has presented a Tariff Paper to increase utility tariffs from the 1^st October 2023. The water and wastewater tariffs were last revised in April 2021 and the electricity tariffs were last revised in 2016.

The Tariff paper recommends a 10% increase in water and wastewater tariffs, which relates to both the unit and standing charges, and the introduction of a standing charge on electricity (£45 for domestic and £60 for commercial, per quarter). In addition to these recommendations, a further option was included and considered by Connect St Helena, which was to increase electricity tariffs by 15%, but this was not recommended.

As part of the consultation process, Legislative Council Members were asked by the URA to consider this Tariff Paper. As per this request, Members met on Friday 8^th September 2023 to collate and discuss what this formal response should contain. In principle, Members have urged the URA to seek further clarification from Connect St Helena on the information within the Tariff Paper, to determine whether further options could be explored prior to a substantive decision being taken.  

Ahead of this meeting taking place, a decision was taken to launch a petition, supported by six Councillors, which focused specifically on the proposed increases for electricity. This was done independently and was not communicated to the entire Legislative Council. Councillors’ are entitled as individuals or District Representatives to take such action, however it cannot be done under the guise of Legislative Council. 

We can confirm however, that the formal response to the URA has incorporated the views of the Council in its entirety, as requested.

Legislative Council
15 September 2023

The name “Captain Rodney Young Seamount” has been selected as the proposed name of the seamount that was mapped in St Helena’s waters by the RRS Discovery last year. The name was put forward by Sharon Wade of the Friar, Cleughs Plain. His Excellency the Governor, Nigel Phillips CBE, has submitted the proposed name to the International Hydrographic Office for their consideration and approval.

In her submission, Sharon conveyed that the sentiment for the proposed name for the seamount was “to remember the person who had portrayed the best about our Island to all who had travelled on the RMS St Helena whilst he was Captain – his hard work, dedication, professionalism, courtesy, compassion with a great sense of humour. He possibly had navigated the area of the new seamount many times without even knowing it existed. It would be fitting that we should remember someone who had been inspirational to others and their name will forever be seen on nautical charts.”

The late Captain Rodney Young, the first St Helenian Captain of the Island’s service ship, the RMS St Helena, was an active mariner. He was well loved and respected by the local community and was instrumental in the development of many maritime careers.

The Environment, Natural Resources & Planning Portfolio would like to thank all persons who took the time to make a submission to the competition.

A further update will be provided following consideration of the proposed name by the International Hydrographic Office.

#StHelena #smallislandBIGFUTURE #NametheNewSeamountCompetition #BlueBeltProgramme

SHG

14 September 2023

The Health Services Directorate is offering free testing for bowel cancer for anyone aged 50+ until Friday, 29 September 2023. Those who wish to take the test can call Grace Richards or Anna Bowers on tel: 25818 who will arrange for a test sample kit to be made available to you.

Everyone offered a test is strongly encouraged to take one. Early detection through testing helps to ensure you stand the best chance of receiving successful treatment where needed.

If you are not sure whether you wish to take the test, we suggest that you request the home sample kit and read the materials that come with it before deciding if you wish to take it. A short video with instructions on how to take the test is also being televised on the local TV Promo Channel.

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 by tel: 25888. Alternatively, please speak to your GP.

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
13 September 2023

There have been a number of different viruses going around the community at different times over the past few months, notably human metapneumovirus and parainfluenza virus. Currently there is a further wave of respiratory tract virus infections circulating. SARS Coronavirus 2 (the virus that causes Covid) has been identified in a few cases. However no-one has needed to be admitted to Hospital, and the infections have generally been mild.

What are the symptoms of SARS Coronavirus 2?

Like many other seasonal viral respiratory tract infections, typical symptoms include blocked or runny nose, sore throat, a dry cough, headache and generalised muscle aches, sometimes with fevers.

What to do if you’ve got an infection

As with any other viral respiratory tract infection, most people do not need any specific treatment. You can take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the headaches and fever as well as simple cough linctus for the cough. All of these should be available in the shops.

There is no need to come to the General Hospital to see a nurse or doctor with these symptoms. It is actually best to stay away from crowded places if you do have these symptoms as you risk passing the infection on to others, and especially so from the Hospital given you might pass your infection on to unwell people or medical staff.

Very rarely you can get a bacterial infection on top of the viral one. If your cough starts producing a lot of yellow or green sputum and you start to feel unwell with shortness of breath, chest pains and persistent fevers, it maybe that you have a super-added bacterial infection. In these cases you should get clinical advice as you may need antibiotics. However in most cases you should be back to normal within a few days.

Do I need to report a positive Covid case to the Hospital?

You are no longer required to report your positive Covid test results to the Health Services Directorate, as Covid is now being considered like any other virus and treatment is no different to any other respiratory viruses.

Do I still need to self-isolate for five days if I have Covid?

Self-isolation for people with Covid was in place to reduce the rate of spread. Now that Covid is being treated as one of a number of viruses that cause cold like symptoms, there is no need to self-isolate. However, you might want to consider staying away from crowded places, wearing a mask and maintaining good hygiene practices (e.g. washing your hands regularly, sneezing into the crook of your arm etc).

Can I repeatedly catch Covid?

Yes, just like it is possible to contract a cold or flu multiple times, although it is very unlikely that you will get a repeat infection within 6-12 months. However, immunity to most viruses is relatively short-lived, and wears off in a matter of months. The virus also mutates and changes over time, making future repeat infection common.

The best way to consider Covid now is as just another virus that causes a cold.

#StHelena #Covid #ViralInfections

SHG

13 September 2023