Minister has questions to answer
IT WAS diplomatic. It was polite. But it was also direct. When it comes to safety standards at Accident and Emergency, don't listen to the Medical Officer of Health.
IT WAS diplomatic. It was polite. But it was also direct. When it comes to safety standards at Accident and Emergency, don't listen to the Medical Officer of Health.
Read a little behind the lines and it is also plain that Dr Clifford Mann, one of the College of Emergency Medicine authors of the report criticising the way A&E operates, was far from happy with the MoH telling States members that everything in the department was fine and attributing that remark to Dr Mann.
'The college has not amended, rescinded or redacted any statement or section within the report,' he said, adding, 'those parties who wish to be informed of the college's opinion are advised to read the report in full'.
This leaves the MoH/director of public health very exposed. There is expert evidence that A&E is not providing optimal care yet the man charged with safeguarding public health was actively downplaying that evidence to States members and basically saying leave everything to Health and Social Services and the GPs who are already providing that below-par care.
He compounded that by claiming his assessment was based on conversations with the college and its agreement to modify some of the damning wording of the critical report.
As we now know, the college has no intention of modifying anything and says that if anyone wants to know what is really going on they should read the report and not listen to third parties.
Who should islanders believe in this matter? An independent college with no axe to grind or the employee of an under-fire HSSD being lobbied by a powerful GP alliance to persuade everyone that A&E's fine really and jolly good value at an estimated £3m. a year?
It was telling also that the Health minister would not be interviewed on this yesterday – far too many awkward questions to answer. Best put out a bland release that says nothing and hope it all goes away.
Bluntly, this is very distressing for islanders. A&E and the contract loaded in GPs' favour needs radical surgery but HSSD is an apologist for the status quo and appears to have fielded the MoH to mislead deputies.
Whether the minister likes it or not, answers are required.
