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The Government is now headed on a course to scrap the £800m Overdale project in favour of a multi-site hospital solution…What happens next? And how long until we get new facilities?
Here's what we know so far about what isn't happening anymore, and what the next steps are likely to be...
Under the original plans, Jersey was supposed to have a new hospital around four years from now.
With planning permission agreed, construction of the ‘health campus’ at Overdale was due to start in January 2023, with the brand new ‘all-in-one’ hospital up and running by January 2027.
However, the £30,000 Government review published today, which was led by Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet alongside Expert Adviser Alan Moore, says this is no longer achievable.
Pictured: The Binet Review said that it wouldn't be possible to complete a new hospital at Overdale within the £805m budgeted by 2027.
As well as predicting that the cost of the Overdale project would be £115m more than originally anticipated, the review also says that it wouldn’t be possible to start construction until 2024, pushing back the opening date until January 2028.
If the multi-site option is progressed, the Government is currently suggesting construction and improvements could take place in different stages - or 'phases' - across the sites over a period of eight years.
Pictured: The Government provided an "indicative" timeline of how the project could proceed.
Quickest to be completed would be upgrades to Overdale (and the island’s mental health facilities, finishing in five years’ time.
Work to expand the hospital into Kensington Place would come next, finishing in six years’ time.
Improving the current Gloucester Street premises would take the longest, finishing after eight years.
However, to be able to get the ball rolling on that plan, the Government has nine key hurdles to get over in the next three to six months:
Set up a team of politicians to oversee the project.
Review the island’s mental health facility needs: Starting immediately, according to the Infrastructure Minister, will be a review to work out what should go in a new facility, and where might be best to put it.
Consult with health staff, as well as other interested parties, about their views on a multi-site solution.
Ensure enough money is in place to keep the General Hospital running in the interim.
Work out a detailed project plan, as well as timelines and costings.
Prepare for a States Assembly vote to approve the multi-site plan.
Work out how to fund the project, and get States Assembly approval for that plan.
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