31 May 2011
People in Jersey are being asked for their views on proposals to change the way health and social care is delivered in the Island in order to meet growing demands over the next 30 years.
Health and Social Services have today (Tuesday 31 May) launched a green paper, called “Caring for each other, Caring for ourselves.” The 12 week consultation ends on 19 August.
The green paper sets out 3 scenarios on how services could be provided in the future, and what the impact of each would be. It includes a questionnaire and is available online and from parish halls, the Jersey Library and Morier House. Hard copies are also available by phoning the Health and Social Services Department (HSS).
Major review work
During the past 6 months, a major review of current services has been undertaken by HSS to look at what challenges will need to be faced in the coming years, and how we can overcome them. KPMG have supported the department by providing technical and economic analysis and benchmarking and also acting as expert advisors in the development of options for change. The process has been overseen by a Ministerial Oversight Group and a range of staff and clinicians, charities and organisations have been asked for their views.
There will be a series of public meetings held to allow people to hear more about the options and ask questions about how each scenario might impact on them.
Health and Social Services Minister, Deputy Anne Pryke, said "Health and social care in Jersey is at a crossroads, and we need to know what Islanders think about how we should provide health and social care services in the future. There are many challenges that must be addressed, and there is no more important a task than caring for our health and wellbeing, and that of our families and neighbours. As a former nurse, I know that our front line health and social care staff do the very best they can for their patients and clients – balancing different pressures on their time and making the best use of precious resources.
“We have to plan for the future now. The number of people over 65 will double in the next 30 years, 60% of the senior medical workforce will retire in the next decade, and more new but expensive treatments are being made available every year. Doing nothing is not an option – we have big decisions to make in the very near future if we are to continue to care for everyone on the island, and we need the thoughts of everyone in Jersey on how we do this.”
Health and Social Services Review consultation
gov.je