22 November 2010
Health and Social Services today launches a major review to identify the Island’s future health, community and social care needs. The review will look at how to meet the needs of an ageing population; the funding of emerging treatments, equipment and medicines and how to manage the increasing number of people living with chronic, long-term diseases. It will consider the balance of services provided in hospital and in primary care, both on and off-island.
The review will also look at social services, in particular the provision of community based care and respite facilities. All the agencies involved in the provision of health, community and social care will participate in the work, including clinical and professional staff and third sector and faith groups.
This work follows an initial review of Health and Social Services which was conducted as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review. This review found that delivering the full 10% target was not possible without serious impact on services. It recommended that further work was needed to find a new and sustainable health and social care system. This is now being undertaken by external consultants in conjunction with staff from Health and Social Services. It will investigate how health and social services can be provided and funded, ensuring that these services are safe, sustainable and affordable.
The Health and Social Services Minister, Deputy Anne Pryke, said “Like many other jurisdictions we face the major challenge of continuing to provide safe and affordable services in a fast changing future. This review is fundamental to achieving that, as it will help us to establish what sort of services we need for the future, how and where they should be provided and how we are going to pay for them.
“The Island’s health, community and social services are rapidly approaching a major crossroads and continuing as usual is no longer an option. This review will provide a firm basis from which to invest in safe, efficient and effective services for the future.”
Jersey's Chief Minister is part of the project’s Ministerial Oversight Group. Senator Terry Le Sueur said “It is essential that in working to secure the long term viability of the economy, the people of Jersey have access to the best health and social care services.
“The Ministerial Oversight Group supports this strategic review of Health and Social Services as it is the best way to consider all the options for providing appropriate health, community and social care as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
gov.je