Hospital beds in two wards at Noble's Hospital are to be closed as preparations are made to deal with an influx of patients with swine flu.

The move, announced today by the Department of Health and Social Security, will affect wards 1 and 2.

The DHSS says with the number of swine flu cases rising, it has to make plans for more admissions to hospital, and that will require building works.

Marian Kenny reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

The closure of some beds is required for the installation of equipment which could be needed to support patients with flu.

The DHSS says the work is not unexpected, being part of the Hospital Pandemic Flu plan.

All patients due to be admitted to wards 1 and 2 willl be contacted if their operations are to be delayed.

Patients will not lose their place on the waiting list and outpatients will not be affected.

Health chiefs are stressing the bed closures will not impact on those needing emergency care, and the care of cancer and very ill patients.

Health Minister Eddie Teare says normal service will be resumed as soon as possible, but it's important that the Island is prepared to deal with the effects of a flu pandemic.