First major appointment to new hospital team

Wednesday 31 July 2019

An Oxford University Associate Professor and surgeon, who will work in Jersey three days a week, has been announced as the first major appointment to the new hospital project team.

Ashok Handa, Associate Professor of Surgery and Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, has been recruited to the role of Clinical Director for the 'Our Hospital' project on a two-year contract at a rate of £1,000 a day.

His flights and accommodation in Jersey will also be paid, in line with the Government of Jersey's policy for external contractors.

The role will see Professor Handa consult with islanders, Health and Community Services (HCS) staff, and other key stakeholders to advise the project team on the design of the new hospital.

He has been involved in the clinical design of hospital developments in the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, Sussex, and the new Cancer Centre and John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Pictured: Professor Handa was involved in the clinical design of hospital developments in the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, Sussex.

He was appointed as external clinical advisor, following what the government described as "a specialist search among candidates who have experience of being a clinical advisor on a hospital design project." 

Public sector recruitment specialists, Gatenby Sanderson, conducted the search process during which eight candidates were identified. They were taken through a technical assessment by an independent assessor, and two were taken forward to interview by a panel led by the Clinical Director for Health and Community Services, John McInerney, in line with the Jersey Appointments Commission process for interim recruitment.

Mr McInerney described Professor Handa's role as "critical", as it provides "an expert link" between the community, HCS partners and those who are designing the hospital "to be integral to a new model of health and care in Jersey."

"Professor Handa brings significant experience and expertise in this field, and his appointment will provide positive impetus to the project," he added.

Pictured: Professor Handa's appointment is the first of the 'Our Hospital' project.

“I am delighted to be appointed to this important clinical lead role in advising on the planning and delivery of Jersey’s new hospital, which is so urgently needed," Professor Handa commented. "I will work closely with the Island’s clinicians and with wider healthcare providers, to ensure that the new hospital is fit for both current needs and those for future generations.”

Professor Handa's appointment is the first of the 'Our Hospital' project, which replaces the 'Future Hospital' one which was recently disbanded following the announcement of a “fresh and bold” approach to delivering a new hospital for the island by the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, in May.

The government began the process to procure or second key project members and additional technical support for the project ahead of funding being allocated earlier this month. Government officials explained that this was done in order to avoid delays in the recruitment and procurement processes and provide more time to create invitations to tender and job adverts.

Pictured: Assistant Treasury Minister Lindsay Ash has approved the allocation of £845,000 to select a new site.

As first reported by Express this morning, Assistant Treasury Minister Lindsay Ash has since signed off on the decision to release £845,000 of contingency funding for the selection of a new site.

As well as new Clinical Director Professor Handa, the 'Our Hospital' team will also include the following roles: Project director, manager and administrative support, Health planner and clinical design team, Health model data analysts, Project accountant and support accountant, Planning adviser, Commercial specialist, Procurement lawyer, Governance support officer, Scrutiny and audit lead, Data manager, HR officer, Project management officer, Communications and engagement lead, and Apprentices.

Asked by Express whether members of the now-disbanded 'Future Hospital' team would be welcome to apply to any of the positions, the government did not respond.