Guernsey's health department says wards at the PEH are busy, but the winter pressures are being well managed.

The early New Year is traditionally a busy time for hospitals in both the Bailiwicks and the UK, with winter bugs affecting the more elderly and vulnerable, and putting them in hospital.

But although the wards at the PEH are busy, a health department spokesperson says it's nothing out of the ordinary:

"The PEH is normally busy at this time of year and this winter is no different.  As would be expected we do have some patients with Covid and we are managing that. There has been no impact on surgery."

They go on to say that anyone feeling ill should take steps to try not to pass it on:

"Public Health guidance has remained for some time that the Bailiwick should now be managing COVID-19 infections in line with how other respiratory virus infections are dealt with. Anyone unwell with a respiratory virus is encouraged to stay at home wherever possible until their symptoms have passed."

The strike by junior doctors with the BMA in England has resulted in several NHS Trusts declaring critical incidents.