Guernsey Press

HSSD wants to cut out 'low priority' treatments

HEALTH and Social Services will look to cut spending on 'low priority' drugs, therapies and treatments as it struggles to reach its savings target, it has revealed.

Published

Under the Financial Transformation Programme, the department has to save £4.7m. this year.

But it has so far identified only £1.9m. of that – the majority of which has been achieved through the closure of the King Edward VII Hospital.

With another £2.8m. to be found, pressure is increasing on the over-spending department.

It has now produced an operational plan for this year, highlighting 62 projects which it wants to progress.

While it details large capital spends, such as buying a temporary ward to replace Giffard Ward, it also announces projects that could help to make savings.

Those include 'disinvesting or avoiding spending' on low priority treatments and reviewing staff accommodation rents.

Minister Mark Dorey, pictured, said his staff would continue to try to identify savings to meet the FTP target.

'Some things won't be started immediately,' he said. 'Some things, such as the on-island age-related macular degeneration service, which we announced this week, identifies savings. It's an enhanced service that saves money.'

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