It is not known if, or by how much, the situation has improved since the announcement of a maintenance policy of the island’s health system.

But, four years ago, the health minister, Christopher Tufton, reported that, of more than 1,800 pieces of equipment assessed by the island’s regional health authorities, only 47 per cent were fully functional. Thirty-nine per cent of the inventory was in reasonably good order or had some life in them, while 15 per cent was totally non-functional.

“If you have half of your equipment not working, or 40 per cent, or even less, it is going to impact the quality of service to those you serve and the impression that people form,” Dr Tufton said.