Deputy Gavin St Pier asked three questions of President of Health and Social Care, Deputy George Oswald, over the levels of public confidence, and the complaints processes currently in place.
It comes following Deputy St Piers arrest at the start of the month, which some families say left them feeling unable to speak out.
That came after the States stalwart escaped a 25 day, unpaid suspension, over allegations of leaking information to a Guardian Journalist.
The independent Commissioner who looked at the case stepped down from her Guernsey role following the Deputies decision.
Whilst seeking answers from Deputy Oswald, Deputy St Pier pried into any plans in place for an independent review of historic and current cases.
Deputy Oswald, shot the idea down, referencing previous independent reviews, but committed his committee to creating a working group aimed at rebuilding public trust.
Deputy Oswald said: “The committee is not planning at present to commission any further independent inquiry or review into historic cases.
“In 2021 the previous committee commissioned Sue Walters to undertake a local investigation into complaints from families about the use of safeguarding processes. This became known as the learning report.
“The learning report made a large number of recommendations to build an integrated and robust safeguarding process. A Task and Finish group was established to implement the recommendations to address concerns arising around safeguarding matters, and included a representative nominated by the families.
“All except one of the recommendations was completed by the Task and Finish group.
“To summarise, the committee is establishing a working group to provide recommendations, to the committee regarding actions that could be taken to create greater public confidence and assurance that learning outcomes are being actioned across HSC.”
Deputy St Pier followed up by seeking clarity over whether or not a new independent review would be justified, as the scope has changed: “Whilst the President’s response has referred to the 2021 review, which was narrowly focused on safeguarding processes, does the President accept that historic and current complaints go well beyond that issue?”
Deputy Oswald replied: “I do accept that. I think at some part of our process, which we’re about to undertake, we’re considering the role of an independent body.”
Deputy St Pier’s final question revolved around what would be required for HSC to change their stance, and back an independent review.
He said: “What will or would it take for the committee to accept that an independent inquiry is now warranted?
HSC’s President had a swift response, and that was to point to the Working Group, and any findings they may land on: “It would take the committee to accept what you’ve suggested. If our working group comes back and says that’s the way we should go, that’s the way we’ll move.”
More to follow…