Deputy pushes to change hospital shortlist

Wednesday 23 September 2020

A Deputy has launched a bid to throw People's Park off the hospital site shortlist and replace it with Warwick Farm and St. Saviour’s Hospital.

The proposal, put forward yesterday by St John Deputy Trevor Pointon, states that there are “clearly problems” with both Overdale and People’s Park, both which are the current finalists.

Arguing for his two extra site choices, Deputy Pointon highlighted that Warwick Farm is already a near level site with basement capacity and “is adjacent to Town with road access and infrastructure services already in existence.”

He added that the site was already owned by the Government, and that "although there is currently a leaseholder in occupation, it should be possible to amicably break the lease."

On St. Saviour’s Hospital, he reasoned that in uncertain times, we should not be discounting any site, pointing out that it “has long been standing derelict", and that, hospital or not, infrastructure upgrades would be needed on the site.

He did note, however, that for the site work, “the existing granite building would have to be de-listed.”

Pictured: Deputy Pointon said that we should consider all options in "uncertain times" when explaining his inclusion of St Saviour's Hospital. 

Further explaining his reasoning, the Deputy said in the proposition that “building a new hospital on People’s Park will be vigorously opposed by the Parish of St. Helier and the general public of the island.” 

He also pointed out its “limited special capacity” of 22,784 m² and questioned the “ability of the site to accommodate a co-located Mental Health Inpatient Unit.” 

Looking at Overdale, he called attention to the fact it “would require extensive demolition works”, saying that over 55 buildings could be demolished to make way for a new road. He did concede though that it “could be a viable option”, but emphasised that “it is important to recognise that this would be an expensive choice.” 

The proposition is due to be debated by States Members in November.