MEDICAL services could be shared between the Channel Islands as both Guernsey and Jersey look to make savings. Health and Social Services minister Hunter Adam (pictured) has discussed the issue with his Jersey counterpart, Senator Ben Shenton.
‘We’re both looking at similar aspects of how to contain the costs of medical care,’ said Deputy Adam. ‘With the demographic shift – the increased number of elderly people – we fully realise there will be increased costs, but it’s how to retain them and we’re not saying we need to reduce services. It may mean more co-operation between Guernsey and Jersey in the provision of symbiotic services like palliative care – is it possible to have a service to cover both islands? The other area would be neurology.’
Jersey’s MRI scanner does not have an anaesthetic facility, whereas Guernsey’s does, so Jersey is investigating whether it should refer patients to Guernsey. The ministers also discussed the Jersey Emergency Treatment Service, an aircraft fitted to a high standard to allow the safe transfer of patients.
‘At the present time we use a preferred operator to transfer our patients across,’ said Deputy Adam.
‘They [the JETS] were suggesting we might want to join with them and assist with financing it.’
Further discussion about the idea will take place once the costs are known.
Lessons that could be learnt about children’s services and care of the elderly were also brought up at the meeting.
Jersey is also looking at installing an IT system similar to Guernsey’s patient-appointment one and is in discussions with the same company.
‘They can come to us, get advice about what might be potential hiccups and discuss how to avoid these things,’ said Deputy Adam.
Article posted on 1st August, 2008 - 11.30am
One Article Comment
This is a long overdue move. I believe that a similar move should be investigated in special education. I looked at co-operation with our Jersey counterparts 2 years ago and suggested such a move.
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