A fan unit that is vital for the safe keeping of chemotherapy drugs at Noble’s Hospital has developed a fault.

A replacement part has been ordered and is being transported to the island.

Plans have been made for its installation and subsequent testing, along with a regime of cleaning to meet stringent protocols for the environmental conditions in which therapy drugs can be produced.

Health and Social Care Minister David Ashford said: ’This is a concerning situation which is causing understandable distress to a number of patients whose chemotherapy treatment programmes have been interrupted.

’I give my assurance that everything possible is being done to find a solution, and while much of the department’s focus is on our Covid-19 response, this matter is also a very high priority.

’Several senior members of staff have been tasked with resolving this problem.’

Chemotherapy limits the effectiveness of a patient’s immune system so, to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection as far as possible, only a limited number of cancer patients are currently continuing their treatment at Noble’s Hospital.

The aseptic room, where the fan unit is housed, also produces drugs for gastroenterology and rheumatology treatments, and a small number of patients in those areas are also affected by the current problem.

It is anticipated that the recommissioning of the area will take two weeks.

The department says that patients will be kept informed on progress, alternative care plans considered where possible and invited to resume their treatments as soon as the situation allows.