04 October 2007
The number of people employed in Jersey’s public sector increased by 194 in the 12 months ending June 2007 and almost all were staff in the health and prison service.
In recent years the hospital has had problems in maintaining essential recruitment, but these new figures demonstrate the success of the nursing cadet scheme in targeting local recruits. Also vacant posts for physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and radiographers have been filled, so that good healthcare standards can be maintained.
The actual number of full and part-time staff employed by the States is now 6,729, a three per cent increase on the previous year.
Health and Social Services, the biggest States department in terms of staff numbers, accounted for around three-quarters of the rise, taking the number of its employees to almost 2,500. Home Affairs filled 12 prison officer and six prison support staff vacancies, while Police numbers also rose. These two departments, together with Education, Sport and Culture, account for over three-quarters of States employees, who now total 6,729.
Treasury and Resources Minister, Senator Terry Le Sueur commented: “The increase in the number of health professionals reflects the States wish to continue to improve health services so that we can continue to deliver high quality health services in the Island. We are all aware of the urgent need to improve facilities at the prison and the recruitment of more prison officers will help us to do that. Other than in these two areas, where we see necessary growth in staff numbers, across States departments as a whole, it is clear that staffing levels are firmly under control and in many cases we have seen cuts in staff numbers.”
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gov.je