22 September 2009
The Treasury Minister has presented a report to the States, informing members that he is likely to authorise emergency funding later this week, to ensure Jersey is prepared for the potential consequences of a swine flu pandemic.
Senator Ozouf has been asked by the Pandemic Flu Co-ordinating Group to authorise the spending of up to £1.3m for the immediate and urgent costs of preparing for, and containing, H1N1. Later this week the minister is also expected to lodge a report and proposition, asking the States to set up a contingency fund of up to £4.2m in the event of a major pandemic affecting Jersey. These funds would be allocated to departments, from a contingency reserve, based on documented evidence of extra costs incurred as a result of managing an H1N1 pandemic.
Senator Ozouf has presented this report following a recommendation from the Chief Minister's Department’s Pandemic Flu Co-ordinating Group, on professional advice from senior Health Department clinicians and managers.
Senator Ozouf says: “Over the past three months the Medical Officer of Health has been keeping ministers up to date with the development of the pandemic and how it is affecting Jersey. At the moment we are still in the containment phase, but money has already been spent to buy drugs and urgent medical supplies, and on preparations for the major wave of illness which is expected this autumn or winter.
“It has been made clear to me that the £1.3m is urgent and necessary, and that swine flu presents an immediate threat to the safety of Islanders. Jersey’s public finances law allows the Treasury Minister to approve contingency expenditure when he is satisfied there is an immediate threat to the safety of all, or any, of the inhabitants of Jersey. So I am informing States members that I am likely to approve the withdrawal of £1.3m from the Consolidated Fund to pay for the preparation and containment costs associated with the swine flu pandemic. This provision of the law has never been used before, and I would not do it lightly, but I believe this is the right action to take on this occasion.
“I am also considering lodging a report and proposition asking the States to approve the allocation of another £4.2m in case a pandemic seriously affects the Island. Before any of this cash is allocated I will be appointing a panel of senior officers to consider documented evidence for each funding request. Every departmental request will have to meet strict guidelines before funds are allocated.”
The Health Minister, Deputy Anne Pryke, says: “An outbreak of pandemic flu would be the biggest challenge the department has ever faced. This additional funding would give us a fighting chance of reducing the impact of the outbreak and of making sure we are ready to treat the people who become seriously ill with flu complications.”
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