18 January 2021
An extensive public engagement and communications strategy has been launched, following the approval of Overdale as the site for Jersey’s new hospital.
The plan sets out the overarching engagement approach that will be undertaken as part of the Our Hospital Project and establishes a process to ensure that all Islanders have a voice and an opportunity to shape the proposals for the new hospital.
The public engagement programme is being led by engagement specialists Soundings, who make up part of the Design and Delivery Partnership. Soundings will manage community liaison and ensure all feedback and comments received from the public are appropriately responded to and follows due planning process.
The design and delivery partnership will continue to work closely with the Government of Jersey throughout all stages of the project.
Relocation of health facilities
In line with that Plan, the Government of Jersey today announced the plan to relocate all health facilities currently being offered at Overdale.
Extensive work was completed to assess suitable locations to temporarily house those departments that need to vacate Overdale, while the new hospital is being built.
The former Les Quennevais School, St Brelade, was identified as the most suitable as it is:
- big enough to house all patient-facing services, with ample parking
- well-served by public transport
- already in Government ownership
The planned proposal will see internal refit and upgrade work at the former school starting this summer, with the building opening in January 2022. The cost of moving the services from Overdale will come from the existing budget for the new hospital.
The facilities will then be moved back to the new hospital when it opens, leaving the former school site available for future development needs or uses.
Deputy Chief Minster, Senator Lyndon Farnham, who chairs the Our Hospital Political Oversight Group, said: “It is important that we deliver the new hospital on time and it is fully operational by the end of 2026. Even with the short delay in confirming access, those timelines are still within reach, which is why we must keep moving ahead with the project.
“As part of this temporary move, and the wider project, we will be engaging with the community throughout, who will help shape the delivery of the hospital. Moving the current facilities from Overdale is a key stage in the project, and the former Les Quennevais School offers the best solution.”
gov.je