IF WAITING times become longer than eight weeks because of health cuts, the Medical Specialist Group’s contract with the States may have to be re-negotiated.

Patients would also have the option of having operations off-island if waiting times were exceeded due to the fault of the MSG or Health and Social Services.

The department announced yesterday that it wants to implement cost-cutting measures to save £6m.

These include a reduction in the number of surgical beds and the number of agency and locum staff – which may result in longer waiting times for operations and appointments. Commenting on the possibility of increased waiting times, Health member Deputy Barry Brehaut (pictured) said people must see it in a Guernsey context and that the island had an excellent service.

‘The maximum eight-week wait we have at the moment would never be found on the NHS. There may need to be some discussions and movement with regards the contract with MSG,’ he said.

But Deputy Mary Lowe said the department had not agreed to longer waiting times.

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