POLL: Where do YOU think the new hospital should go?

Tuesday 19 February 2019

As politicians return to the long-standing debate over where the new hospital should be built, the question continues to divide public opinion… but where do YOU think the perfect site is?

Although the list of potential sites for the island’s new health estate is narrowing down, the question of what impact this return to the drawing board has had on islanders’ views on the new hospital site remains.

A week on from States Members’ decision to withdraw Gloucester Street as the preferred site, Express wants to know where its readers would put the new hospital if it were up to them…

After last week’s lengthy States debate on the issue, a few key decisions were made when it comes to site selection, including ruling out St. Helier’s parks – People’s Park, Lower Park, Victoria Park, Westmount Gardens or Parade Gardens – as well as overturning the decision to mark Gloucester Street as the 'preferred site' to rebuild the hospital.

Pictured: The States voted to rescind the previous decision to mark Gloucester Street as the 'preferred site'.

This amendment was brought by St. Helier Constable Simon Crowcroft, almost split the States Chamber down the middle as a narrow majority of 24 Members voted in favour, versus 22 voting against. 

Meanwhile, the current site has not been ruled out altogether, but after last week’s vote it is no longer Members’ ‘preferred’ site for rebuilding the hospital – despite a spend of around £40million on the Gloucester Street project to date. This decision arose as a result of a proposition brought by Deputy Russell Labey.

Although the current site remains an option as the process to find a location for the new hospital begins again, planning permission for the project has now been rejected for a second time by the Environment Minister.

Pictured: The only sites which have been officially ruled out are St. Helier's parks after an amendment brought by Constable Crowcroft.

In light of Deputy Kirsten Morel’s amendment which calls for the site selection process to be started from scratch without taking previous political decisions into account also being adopted by the States last week – the hunt for a new ‘preferred’ site begins afresh.

For some States Members, including Constable Chris Taylor, the standout candidate is Overdale – although it was previously taken off the table due to accessibility issues.

In terms of other sites, Warwick Farm and St. Saviour’s Hospital still remain on the table.

But where would you put Jersey’s new hospital? Tell us by taking part in the poll below…

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