Bid to limit new health board to 18-month trial period

A new health board which aims to overhaul the way Jersey’s health services are governed and overseen will be limited to an initial 18-month pilot period, if an amendment lodged by the panel of politicians scrutinising the department is approved.

Earlier this year, the Health Minister formally lodged plans to create a new Health and Care Jersey Partnership Board costing £70,000-a-year to run.

According to Deputy Tom Binet’s proposals, the new board would sit alongside the existing Health and Community Services Advisory Board and will be paid for using funds already set aside for health governance.

Together, both boards will work to make sure health services are safe, well-managed, and better joined up, he said.

But the Health and Social Security Panel has now amended Deputy Binet’s plans to o limit the initial appointment of the Health and Care Partnership Board to an 18-month pilot period.

The  panel is not persuaded that sufficiently rigorous or systematic analysis has been undertaken to demonstrate that the creation of the board is the most effective or necessary course of action

Health and Social Security Panel

The panel said it is “not persuaded that sufficiently rigorous or systematic analysis has been undertaken to demonstrate that the creation of the board is the most effective or necessary course of action”.

The 18-month trial period would allow the board to be “tested in practice to determine whether it is genuinely fit for purpose” in a bid to mitigate risks, address potential governance concerns, and prevent unforeseen costs, according to the panel.

It concluded: “The panel believes this amendment offers reassurance to members who may be concerned about costs or the suitability of the proposed structure.

“By adopting a cautious and time-limited approach, the risks are significantly reduced, while ensuring that urgent improvements to the governance and oversight of the Health and Care Department can progress without delay.”

The proposition and amendment are both due to be debated at the States Assembly sitting next week.