I have a deep love and affection for the beautiful island I grew up in and its proud independent thinking people. In my youth my father toured the Island giving talks about life during The Occupation showing the film my Grandfather had secretly taken at the time. My relatives knew first hand that money is the most fickle of the resources Jersey possesses, they valued our tourists, unique cows, apples, potatoes, coastline and countryside, which need our protection.
As an Islander I was brought up believing that once you achieved financial security, it was time to put your energy back into serving your community. The local parish, shop, doctor that intimately knows its parishioners is in danger of being eroded and replaced by faceless services. Healthy communities are based on trusting relationships built over time. I believe it is not too late to preserve what makes Jersey special.
I am new to politics, however as a family doctor I have listened to the difficulties faced by Islanders from all walks of life. The States are about to spend considerable amounts of money on trying to improve our Health Services. I believe it is essential to have someone with professional knowledge and understanding (of what works in practice and where gaps lie), involved at a political level.
A Single Health Budget
Traditional Health and Social Services are unlikely to be able to cope with rising demands. They are showing signs of strain, with growing waiting lists. Fighting for budgets wastes time and creates hostility. Short term planning and restructuring causes insecurity and diverts staff’s attention away from doing their best. We have yet to fully use the skills and enthusiasm of frontline staff. Their input is too often misinterpreted and viewed as challenging.
Priorities include; better funding and access to family doctors and dentist, this improves health and relieves pressure on hospital services. Attracting and retaining staff with the skills the Island needs particularly in children’s services & mental health.
Developing a disability strategy & update to the mental health and child laws.
I believe we have the freedom and opportunity to work together with parishes, the voluntary & community sector, patients and carers to provide health and social services to be proud of.
Health professionals are concerned about the impact of the two-site hospital on access and patient safety. Hospitals with good outcomes for patients focus on people not buildings, training staff well and encourage an open culture that learns from mistakes.
Education
It is the first three years of life, where 90% of brain growth occurs. Young children thrive in stimulating, caring environments, where indoor and outdoor play helps lead to good physical & mental health. Families and friends need support and sufficient time to spend with each other to nurture relationships.
Children and young people have different strengths and weaknesses; one size does not suit all. Education should be tailored to individual needs and aimed at helping each young person find a useful role in society, nurturing a sense of identity, loyalty and pride. Educating our own young people to fill the needs of local employers, with apprenticeships should reduce the need for immigration.
Economy and the Taxpayer
Expenditure is forecast to outstrip income in future years. Before we talk of loans, rationing, raising taxes or insurance schemes we need to ensure money is spent efficiently and effectively. Are frontline staff free to do their job or being drowned in paperwork, assessments, meetings and process? Is government helping business to flourish or are we in danger of over regulating and stifling innovation.
Fintech and Bitcoin are risky ventures to base Jersey’s future prosperity on. They will probably be usurped by technological solutions that allow free currency transactions in the near future. If Jersey wants to lead in digital technologies then we should be ensuring that the digital infrastructure is affordable as well as accessible. . Several countries provide free Wi fi access to all. This is the sort of environment Jersey should be looking at to attract technological based businesses & solutions.
Tourism
Jersey has benefitted from tourism for many years. We still have around 700,000 visitors to the Island per year that contribute to our economy. They make transport links to the UK viable. They support restaurants, sporting and cultural events that make Jersey an attractive base to live and work in. Thirteen percent of jobs depend on this industry and yet “The States” continue to lose hotels and tourist attractions to housing developments. Where are the planned 1 million visitors going to stay in the future?
Planning
Planning decisions are too often made in isolation from other departments. We need more joined up government, with different departments working collaboratively together to support businesses, tourism and the environment.
Wages and Zero Hours contracts
As a GP I am aware of the importance of stability and security on physical and mental health and the adverse effect of low wages and zero hours contracts. Too many people now don’t know week to week whether they will have enough money to pay their bills. Rising rents and utility bills mean less money is spent in the real economy. This impacts the revenue from Income tax and local businesses, which has delayed economic recovery. It creates problems with payday loans, gambling, drug and alcohol use and the drives the cash economy.
Rights for employees should start after 2 years rather than 6 months, so that employers can risk taking new staff on.
Social Security
I would favour more family friendly benefits. There are several problems with the current benefit system. The assessment process for impairment benefit needs reviewing. Those seeking help are often left feeling ashamed to be in need, which adds to the stress of being ill, unemployed or elderly. Getting cancer or long-term sickness before 65 years of age can mean losing your employment, house and savings as well as being sick.
Those looking to become self-employed and come off benefits should be encouraged by having a break from tax and social security contributions until they are established.
Climate change and Energy
The countryside needs protection from development and costal defenses strengthened. The Island should be looking at using more renewable sources of energy. Being overly reliant on nuclear and fossil fuels could cost dearly in the long run.
Reform
I am in favour of the Constables remaining in The States to ensure the continuing parish base as the center of our community. Those seeking ministerial positions should in my opinion have an Island wide mandate. However I will accept the view of the public as expressed in the referendum.
Strengthening Parish & Community
The local parish that intimately knew its parishioners is in danger of being eroded & replaced by a faceless bureaucracy. Healthy Communities are based on trusting relationships that recognize & understand the differing needs of parishioners and whose Constable & deputies are accountable to the electorate.
A healthy population is the basis of a healthy economy.
About me
I am 54 and live with Innes & my 90yr old father-in-law, Calum. We are both GPs & have been married for 30 years. We have two grown up sons.
I attended St Mary’s Primary school, where my father Rolf Bertram was headmaster. In 1971 I was awarded a scholarship to JCG, studied Medicine at Manchester University. I qualified in 1983. Then worked on medical wards, children’s wards, A&E, in obstetrics and gynaecology and as a general practitioner, before returning to Jersey to set up my own successful business, St Ouen’s Village Surgery. I have also worked at Cleveland Clinic, York House and Castle Quay Medical practice.
OTHER ROLES AND VOLUNTARY WORK
Community Child health clinics
Family Planning Clinics
School doctor
Involved in setting up The Brook Clinic
Medical Adviser to Children’s Service
Jersey domestic Violence forum
Trustee to Help a Jersey Child
A Director & Secretary to Jersey Primary Care Body, I was involved with discussions regarding the redesign of Health and Social Services for two years.
Jersey Child Protection Committee now Safeguarding Boards
Royal College of General Practitioner’s Adolescent Health Group
Vice Chair of Primary Care Children’s Safeguarding Forum (UK)
Member of the European Society of Trauma & Dissociation
Representative of Royal College of General Practitioners in areas of Child and Mental health
Clifton House, Le Mont Suzanne St Lawrence, Jersey JE3 1HH
07797714341
Twitter @zoeanncam
Facebook ZoeCameronJersey
Dr Zoe Cameron committed to open, honest, dependable government.
zoeanncam@gmail.com
07797714341
www.zoecameronjersey.co.uk
twitter.com/@zoeanncam
