Health & Community Services
Ministerial Decision Supporting Report
TRANSFER FROM THE E. J Bailhache Fund Charitable Fund to HCs revenue account
to support Hospital Ward refurbishments
- Purpose of Report
To request a distribution of up to a maximum of £0.826m from the Bailhache Charitable Trust Fund to the Health and Community Services (HCS) revenue head of expenditure in 2020 and 2021 to meet the costs of;
- Refurbishment of three wards (Rozel £0.476m, Sorel £0.150m, Bartlett £0.2m)
- Background
2.1 Our Hospital Project
The initiative to provide an updated/new acute hospital in Jersey began in 2012 it was known as the “Future Hospital project” however the project experienced several challenges which resulted in the project being closed. The need for a new hospital remains and as such the Our Hospital Project “Our Hospital” has progressed with a new hospital forecast to be completed in c2026.
It was recognized by the Health Minister in November 2018 that the current hospital buildings were not fit for purpose; with some areas not able to meet either modern health standards or the requirement of regulations. It is also acknowledged that the maintenance of the existing buildings needed to be managed and prioritised to minimize clinical risk and maintain a good patient experience until the new hospital is delivered.
The Government Plan 2020-2023 has set aside £5m a year to address the backlog maintenance work required, this will seek to address infection prevention, isolation and support compliance with JNASS standards, privacy and dignity.
2.2 Backlog Maintenance
The backlog maintenance requirements arising from limited investment in the last decade are significant and as such have required prioritisation. For 2020 the funding available has been targeted to deliver the work associated with the engineering and basic infrastructure. There is insufficient funding to support the soft ward refurbishment improvements (decorating, minor changes or improvements) which are important to the patient experience and wellbeing. Ideally the timing of these would be aligned to the timing of the hard infrastructure upgrades planned in the ward areas (Water, electrical infrastructure etc.).
In 2020/ 2021 it is planned to
- Upgrade Rozel ward (medical ward)
- Move Sorel Ward into Rozel, undertake improvements in Sorel upgrade Sorel Ward – move back to Sorel
- Transfer Rayner ward to Plemont to undertake improvements in Rayner – move back to Rayner
- Transfer Bartlett to Plemont undertake improvements to Bartlett
At the time of writing the timing of the ward refurbishment programme is expected to be affected by the need for HCS to respond to the Coronavirus and as such whilst a commitment to the £0.826m is requested from the Charitable Trust Fund, the drawdown of the funding is requested to be allowed over 2020 and 2021 when required.
HCS are seeking a total of a maximum of £0.826m to support the associated ward upgrades cost, it is requested that a commitment of £0.826m is made non-recurrently to HCS from The Bailhache Charitable Trust Fund noting that this use of the fund accords with the purpose of the fund as set out in paragraph 3.
3.0 Background/Purpose of The E. J Bailhache Fund
The late E J Bailhache bequeathed assets for the following purposes, as detailed in her Will dated 20th September 1974:
“Public of the Island of Jersey for the benefit of the Public Health Committee (now the Minister for Health and Social Services) of the States of Jersey, for the general welfare of persons elderly, and/or blind or sick at the General Hospital.”
3.1 Fund Balance
The fund is composed of Jersey based property, cash and investments in equities, bonds and alternatives. As at the end of 2019 the fund value is £5.5m. Of which £2.9m is represented through property ownership. £55k is held in the bank, the remainder is held in the Common Investment Fund.
Although the Will makes no differentiation between whether distributions should be made from capital or income of the Fund, until a reserves policy is adopted grants will be made with due regard to the reduction of the fund capital sum. (Including this grant of £0.826m the fund will have seen a reduction of £0.426m over a 3 year period.
4.0 Approval of the use of the E J Bailhache Fund
This has been proposed by the Director General of Health and Community Services. A Charitable Trust Fund committee is being set up to provide suitable governance in the future for such decisions, in the absence of this committee being in place with delegated authority a Ministerial Decision is being sought.
The late E J Bailhache bequeathed assets for the following purposes, as detailed in her Will dated 20th September 1974 to be used “Public of the Island of Jersey for the benefit of the Public Health Committee (now the Minister for Health and Social Services) of the States of Jersey, for the general welfare of persons elderly, and/or blind or sick at the General Hospital.”
5.0 Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to approve the distribution of £0.826m from the E J Bailhache Fund, to be transferred on a non-recurrent basis to the HCS revenue head of expenditure in 2020 and 2021.
Following approval of the recommendation the following will take place;
- Authorisation will also be sought from the Minister for Treasury & Resoources to use the transferred income against the Estates budget in accordance with Article 21 of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019.
- A Treasurer Decision will be obtained to facilitate the drawdown of £0.826m from the Common Investment Fund.
6.0 Reason for Decision
Approval of grants made from the E J Bailhache Fund are required to be approved by the Minister of Health and Social Services.
Article 21 of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019 states that where a States body or area of operation will earn income more than that estimated in an approved government plan during that financial year, the Minister for Treasury and Resources may direct that the excess income be allocated to a head of expenditure set out in the plan.
6.0 Resource Implications
The balance of funds on the E J Bailhache Fund will reduce from £5.54m by £0.826m to £4.71m.
The revenue budget head of expenditure available for HCS will increase by £0.826m this will equate to the expenditure incurred in accordance with this fund distribution request.
| Name and Signature | |
Report Author -Head of Finance Business Partnering (Hospital) | Jo Larkin | Document date 3rd June 2020 |
Quality Assurance / Review: Group Director | Steven Mair | File name and path: |
Director General sponsor: | Caroline Landon |