01 August 2016
Proposed investment in Jersey's health and social care from the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) will help build on what has already been achieved since 2012 as the Health and Social Services Department (HSSD) continues to redesign its services.
Islanders who need care and support are already benefiting from services provided in the community, at home and in primary care; services have been increased and redesigned so that they meet the needs of a growing, ageing population, prevent health conditions worsening wherever possible, and help people who have ongoing health conditions live longer, healthier lives in their own homes. By 2035, there will be 70% more people over the age of 65 than there are today, and twice as many people over 85.
Strategies
In late 2015 the department published the Mental Health Strategy and Sustainable Primary Care Strategy, and they have recently published the ‘Acute Service Strategy’ which sets out how hospital services will be redesigned in the next decade. These plans are now being implemented, with more investment in mental health and children’s services and pilots testing new ways of working with GPs and pharmacists.
Health and social care in Jersey has been transformed since the proposition “Caring for Each Other, Caring for Ourselves” was approved by the States Assembly in 2012. Services have been either improved or introduced to ease access to services that Islanders need, including:
- Jersey Talking Therapies (early intervention in mental health)
- beds at a care home to aid recovery for people leaving hospital (known as ‘Step Up, Step Down’ beds)
- Rapid Response team provides care in people’s homes to avoid hospital admission or help people come home from hospital
- reablement team helps people recover essential skills at home
- sustained home visiting (for families who need support until the child is two-years-old)
- more rehabilitation classes for islanders with lung conditions
- Community Oxygen Service (oxygen therapy delivered in the home for those who need it)
- professional Fostering
- Children’s Community Short Breaks (formerly known as respite care), offering choice for children and parents
- community midwifery, providing choice in antenatal care
- Samares Child and Family Centre
The department is proposing to continue using growth money allocated in the draft MTFP to continue this transformation of health and social care redesign and service increase, which is a key priority for the Council of Ministers.
In 2016, there has already been investment in: children’s services, mental health services, hospital services (known as acute services) and services provided in a person’s home or in the community.
Planned investment
From 2017 to 2019, subject to approval from the States Assembly, Islanders will see further investment in these services, as well as a focus on obesity and healthy lifestyles and a significant investment into redesigning hospital services.
Speaking about the work already done and the proposed use of MTFP funds for health and social care, Minister for Health and Social Services, Senator Andrew Green said “I am delighted that in 2012 the States Assembly could see the advantages of re-designing health and social care for Islanders, particularly as we plan ahead to cater for an ageing population.
“We want to continue to offer great services. We know people want access to the right services in the right place, and that means at home and in the community as well as in hospital. We want our health and social care to be safe, sustainable and affordable.
“Whatever services Islanders need from us, we want them to feel valued, and have their care delivered appropraitely. This includes working across health and social care, with partners in the voluntary sector and in primary care. What has been achieved so far is very encouraging and has only been possible because of much-needed investment.
"I know that with the extra funding proposed in our financial plan we can create an even better health and social care system, building on the excellent foundations which have already been laid.”
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