ONE of the freedoms of what used to be called Guernsey’s medical officer of health is to be able to speak openly and honestly without pressure from business or political quarters and not fear for his job for being controversial.
And Dr David Jeffs has used his position and that freedom over the years to press home the health implications of matters as diverse as too much traffic, sub-standard housing and, now, global warming.
Now, in his last annual report before retirement, he can look back on some remarkable successes in helping to improve the health of this community, particularly declining mortality rates, especially from cancer, and the likelihood of a long lifespan.
Dr Jeffs, however, is more interested in looking forward - ‘what’s approaching on the health radar’ - and top of the four major challenges is ensuring sufficient funding to meet the rising health care expectations of this affluent but small jurisdiction.
One of the statistics in the report that has been widely quoted is that for the first time Guernsey spent less per capita in this area than the UK. At £1,966, it was just £18 less than in that country and comes at a time of restraint here but heavy investment in the NHS.
However, the same report indicates that the island was spending more than a third of all public revenue on health care, very nearly twice as much as its nearest comparison, Iceland. The UK was spending just 17% of its income on health.
And that 30% ’slice’ of States income going on such care emphasises the funding challenge that Dr Jeffs highlights. Because so much of the island’s income is already used in this area - more than the 22% each to education and social welfare - the island will be hard pressed substantially to increase expenditure and every 1% increase on the current amount represents nearly £1m. more for already stretched taxpayers to find.
There is no easy solution to the problem and if more is to be spent, it will have to come from taxes and/or individual contributions.
All of which underscores the cost benefit of us all having a healthier lifestyle.
Article posted on 4th September, 2008 - 2.58pm
One Article Comment
To my mind, the comfort that some might take from the fact that our spending on health seems pretty much the same per capita as the UK is illusory.
I would have expected our healthcare per capita figure to be significantly higher than the UK. There aren’t anything like the economies of scale in a small island. Why do HSSD constantly cite ‘off-island placements’ as the reason they are under budget pressure if the cost isn’t actually causing us to overspend per capita?
If our average spend is the same as UK, despite our lack of economies of scale, then we must be receiving a lower standard of care.
That’s not surprising when you consider that we pay much less in tax. But when is someone going to actually admit it, instead of hiding behind spurious averages?