More beds for Mount Alvernia isolation unit

Four more beds have become available in a new isolation unit built at Mount Alvernia, bringing the total isolation capacity to 16 beds.

This forms part of the Elderly Residential Services’ contingency measures in case residents contract Covid-19.

This building, which was previously a residential property adjacent to Mount Alvernia, has been completely reconfigured and transformed into a four-bedded high dependency care facility with capacity for IV therapy, cardiac monitoring and non-invasive mechanic ventilation, the Government of Gibraltar yesterday said in a statement.

The work was completed by GJBS over a period of two weeks and will serve 10% of the home’s residential potential.

“This newly created isolation unit increases our capability to care for residents potentially infected by Covid-19 and complements the existing contingency measures,” Susan Vallejo, Elderly Residential Services’ Care Manager said.

Minister for Health and Care, Paul Balban, added: “I believe this additional facility will add valuable resilience to the ERS in its contingency planning.”

“I am grateful to GJBS for having delivered this project in record time and, of course, my gratitude to Susan and her team for their unwavering commitment to the care and safety of our community’s most vulnerable.”

“Additionally this is a real advantage for the future also as we will be able to provide medical care for our vulnerable elders even after the Covid pandemic is over.”