Two deputies are attempting to ensure a specific report about healthcare oversight gets a full public discussion.
The Responsible Officer’s Annual Report is filed as an “appendix report”. In the States of Deliberation these types of reports are normally just “tabled,” meaning they are made available for reading but aren’t automatically discussed or voted on.
To actually talk about the report in a meeting, States members must first successfully pass a Motion to Debate.
Deputies Gavin St Pier and Chris Blin are suggesting that happens this year with the Responsible Officer’s Annual Report, arguing that healthcare is too important to just “file away”.
Their main points are built on public interest, Guernsey’s growing medical workforce, and regulatory gaps.
In a statement to the island’s media, Deputy Blin said: “I hope that HSC will not oppose the motion and a majority of colleagues will support having a debate. Health is our largest public service and, as such, the quality of care, outcomes and regulation are public interest issues.
“It is interesting to note from the report that the number of locally registered doctors has grown by about two-thirds in 10 years from 200 or so to closer to 350. That is one reflection of our community’s growing healthcare needs.”
Meanwhile, Deputy St Pier has highlighted a previous agreement by the States, to pursue a more robust way of regulating health and social care.
Deputy St Pier has made previous attempts to debate previous iterations of the Responsible Officer’s Annual Report and other medical reports.
He maintains transparency is needed.
“Until such time as the Committee for Health & Social Care recommends, and the States of Deliberation implements, a more robust regulatory regime for health and social care – which was agreed in principle a number of years ago – this annual report is the only formal information provided to the States in relation to the regulation of any healthcare providers.
“It is important, in our view, that the States makes the time and takes the opportunity to consider it. We think that receiving the Responsible Officer’s annual report ought to be more than a ‘tick box’ exercise for the States.”
Deputy St Pier attempted to force a debate on a previous Responsible Officer’s Annual Report in 2022 – landing himself in hot water.
The fall out from that continues today.
The timeline
Deputy Gavin St Pier first tried to secure a debate on the 2021 Responsible Officer’s Annual Report during a debate in April 2022.
During a States meeting, he used parliamentary privilege to name Dr Sandie Bohin citing concerns regarding safeguarding and medical regulation.
Following his speech, three separate Code of Conduct complaints were lodged against the Deputy by Dr Bohin, the Medical Specialist Group, and the British Medical Association.
In 2023 a Privileges Panel cleared Deputy St Pier of abusing parliamentary privilege. However, the MSG and Dr Bohin released statements criticising the decision, with Dr Bohin stating she was “utterly devastated” by his actions.
Later that year a leaked report and an anonymous letter detailed broader safeguarding concerns on the island, which some linked to the ongoing tensions between the Deputy and the medical establishment.
In January 2025, a new Code of Conduct complaint was lodged by Dr Bohin following an interview Deputy St Pier gave to a national newspaper, with the complaint alleging that he had disclosed the number of previous complaints made against her.
The Standards Commissioner recommended a 30-day suspension for the Deputy after finding he had breached the States Member’s Code of Conduct, reduced to 25-days on appeal.
However, the States voted against this and Deputy St Pier escaped sanction and Dr Melissa McCullough, the Commissioner for Standards for Guernsey, resigned with immediate effect.
The Responsible Officer for the Bailiwick is Dr Peter Rabey. He was re-elected to this role in February this year, just one month before announcing his retirement.