Minister to respond to calls for independent inspection of healthcare

Monday 07 February 2022

More than 1,000 islanders have backed a campaign for an independent inspection of all health services in Jersey, meaning the Health Minister will have to respond to the idea.

The e-petition, which was launched on 28 January, has now reached more than 1,200 signatures. Above 1,000 requires the relevant minister to respond in writing.

At 5,000 signatures, petitions are considered for debate in the States Assembly.

This petition calls on the Government to commission an inspection by the UK Care Quality Commission of the General Hospital, Overdale and Orchard House “and all other services provided by Health and Community Services and should include buildings, services, policies, the Jersey Care Model and staff qualifications”.

Petitioner Jean Lelliot adds: “The inspection should extend to care in the community. The General Hospital may be operating in an unsafe environment and has not been fully independently inspected for very many years.

“This is contrary to anything which would be allowed in the UK or most places in the world. The people of Jersey deserve to know that they are getting the best services available.

“Partial inspections of a few departments are not good enough. Inspection should include governance and policies relating to follow on patient care after discharge.”

Pictured: The petition calls for an independent review of all healthcare facilities, including the General Hospital.

The provision of healthcare in Jersey is particularly under scrutiny at the moment, after a number of islanders, including stroke survivors, and backbench politicians raised concerns about the quality of rehabilitation services provided at the General Hospital.

This was after they moved from Samarès Ward at Overdale in May 2020.

This alleged retrograde step prompted a States debate, in which the Government promised to provide the same level of care that was given at Samerès, either back on that ward or at another suitable location. 

A senior nurse also called for an independent inspection of rehabilitation services, if the Government did not reopen Samarès Ward.

There are also internal pressures on the Council of Ministers and senior managers at Health.

Last week, members of the Medical Staff Committee signed a letter addressed to Medical Director Patrick Armstrong detailing their concern about “the growing number of investigations and suspensions of medical staff”. They called on the department to initiate an independent review of its disciplinary processes.

It came after Dr Mike Richardson, a senior rehab consultant and Clinical Director for Medicine, was suspended in the days after the States Assembly debate over the future of Samarès Ward. The reason for his suspension has not been made public.

Express has also learnt that Deputy Medical Director, anaesthetist and ICU medic Dr Paul Hughes has resigned from the service and is now working in Wales, and rheumatology consultant Dr Jon Bevan has tendered his resignation and will be leaving in March.