FOCUS: An evening of hospital - rather than football - drama

Thursday 08 July 2021

It was Overdale 1, Football 0 for about 200 Islanders who chose Westmount over Wembley last night.

These committed souls opted for a meeting organised by the ‘Friends of Our New Hospital’ group at the same time as Gareth Southgate’s men were booking their place in Sunday’s Euro final.

However, there was a compromise to be had, as evidenced by the number of people - principally men, it has to be said - who took up the invitation by chair Peter Funk to leave the gathering after the opening speeches at 20:00.

No doubt rushing home for the second half, they would have missed Simon Kjaer’s 39^th-minute own goal which brought England back into the game. However, for most people attending last night, their Government has scored a far more spectacular own goal by choosing to site the new hospital at Overdale.  

Like the majority at Wembley passionately following England, most at the Royal Jersey Showground had already chosen who they were supporting before the gathering kicked off at 19:00.

Pictured: "...For most people attending last night, their Government has scored a far more spectacular own goal by choosing to site the new hospital at Overdale."

And judging by the hands that shot up when someone asked if they’d back a vote of no confidence in the current Council of Ministers, they weren't cheering on Messrs Le Fondré, Farnham and Renouf.

But while the meeting was not counter-balanced by the presence of this trio – or anyone else from the Our Hospital project team – the ‘Friends’ argue that they have done their homework and any points or questions they raise are backed by both experience and evidence.

The audience did not represent every demographic in Jersey, and it would be a safe to assume that most people there had received both jabs, but it was clear that a section of society, perhaps those most engaged with the local political process, is deeply unhappy with the way the Government has handled the hospital saga.

Whether the gathered ensemble is as united in finding a solution as they are identifying the problem remains unclear. Indeed, last night’s ‘headliner’ Sir Philip Bailhache himself said he did not know what could be done to change the Government’s direction.

An “informed public debate” was the only answer he could suggest.

Some, it seems, would prefer that the hospital is built at Warwick Farm, but the level of that support appears more diluted, and it would involve a complete u-turn by the States Assembly, a 1,000-year-old body no doubt respected by many there last night.

Others appeared to support a return to ‘Plan A’: building on the current site in Gloucester Street, which has already been rejected by States Members after many millions of public money had been wasted.

Pictured: Some appeared to support a return to the original plan to build on the current hospital site in Gloucester Street.

Some there didn’t like the proposed alignment of Westmount Road, but would they then support a hospital at Overdale if the Government did decide to leave the road as it is?

And if Senator Farnham did put his hands up and say: "Ok, how big should the hospital be and how much should it cost?", what would be the reply? 

It is likely that the ‘Friends’ and their supporters will have to resolve these issues if they are going to have a meaningful impact. But their level of passion, engagement and care for the Island is commendable.

However, one suspects that their biggest impact, along with everyone else in Jersey, will be at the ballot box next June. 

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