The deputies wanting to debate the latest Responsible Officer’s Annual Report have set out why they think it should be.
Deputy Gavin St Pier, who proposed the motion, and seconder Deputy Chris Blin have told Express it’s not only for transparency, but due to a potentially crucial transition period with the current Responsible Officer retiring this year.
Dr Peter Rabey announced in March that he will stand down in November, just one month after he was re-elected as the island’s Responsible Officer for what was intended to be a five-year period.
The Responsible Officer role is crucial for the clinical governance of GMC-registered doctors working in the Bailiwick, and the Responsible Officer’s Annual Report sets out some of the facts and figures surrounding the islands’ medical status.
The report itself isn’t confidential, and is readily available for reading online.
Express recently went through the report to see what is in this year’s.
The report is usually nodded through the States without debate- something which Deputy St Pier has tried to change in recent years.
He said political colleagues were not surprised to learn he is trying again this year.
“We engaged in advance with colleagues at HSC to ensure the Motion wasn’t a surprise to them.
“I can’t think of any good reason for opposing a debate on the annual report – and they have not indicated they will – so I’m hopeful that the States will support the Motion,” he said.
He said the report itself is important, as well as the role of the Responsible Officer who writes it.
“The existence of the role of the Responsible Officer is not well known, and it’s probably even less well understood. But it’s a really important role in clinical governance in respect of GMC registered doctors.”
Deputy St Pier said debating the report could give the States a chance to examine the state of play for Guernsey’s medical staff.
“I hope it will, at least in part, be an opportunity to reflect on how requirements of the role have changed during the ten year tenure of the outgoing Responsible Officer when he retires later this year including, of course, the significant growth in the number of doctors for whom the post holder is responsible.”
Deputy Blin is also keen to highlight the need for transparency in high-level regulatory roles.
He argues that this should be standard practice to maintain public confidence.
“I supported the motion because this goes to the heart of governance and public confidence in our healthcare system,” Deputy Blin told Express.
“The Responsible Officer holds a key regulatory role, linking into HSC, MSG and the GMC so you can see that with this level of responsibility, it is entirely appropriate that Deputies have the opportunity to scrutinise how the function operates.
“Transparency in roles of this importance should be the norm, not the exception. With the current Responsible Officer now retiring shortly after reappointment, this is also a natural and timely moment to step back and ensure the structure is right going forward. It would be a missed opportunity not to reflect at a point of transition, particularly as we look ahead to the next appointment.”
When asked what he was hoping to dive into if the motion is a success, Deputy Blin said there is a lot to debate.
“For me, this is not about one statistic or headline figure, it’s about the system behind the report. The key issue is independence.
“The Responsible Officer holds a key role and we have seen various implications with this so given those key links to HSC, MSG and GMC it is essential that both the reality and the perception of independence are clear and beyond question.”
Deputy Blin pointed to the future appointment of Dr Rabey’s successor as a reason to examine the report publicly, to make sure the next steps are the correct ones.
“Given that the current post-holder also undertakes work on limited basis with MSG for example it’s entirely reasonable to ask how that independence is safeguarded.
“I would very much like to see that this is actively considered as part of the next appointment, to ensure the structure supports clear and demonstrable independence going forward.”
Like Deputy St Pier, Deputy Blin is hopeful the report will be debated and he is eager to see support from across the chamber to future-proof the role, and the medical system as a whole.
“I would hope colleagues support an open debate as this is exactly the type of issue that should be discussed transparently.
“This is not about personalities or past disagreements; it’s about making sure the system is robust and fit for purpose, both now and in the future.
“Success, in my view, is having a clear and constructive discussion that provides reassurance and clarity. If we can do that and ensure lessons are carried forward into the next appointment it will strengthen confidence in the system, which ultimately benefits everyone.”
Express contacted Dr Peter Rabey for comment on the Motion to Debate his Annual Report.
He said: “Politicians have the right to bring forward a motion to debate the annual report and exercising that right is part of the political process.”
HSC told Express that he’d be “happy to answer” further questions nearer the time of his retirement.
The States are due to vote on the Motion to Debate the Responsible Officer’s Annual Report next week.