'Telemedicine is not right for us'

TELEMEDICINE should be the last option chosen by the States to care for people with an incurable illness. Jo Boyd, the new director of nursing at Les Bourgs Hospice, said palliative care in Guernsey deserved better.

'Telemedicine is one route I would not like to go down unless we have explored every other option.

'It would be suitable only if you were in a rural setting with no facilities and you couldn't appoint a consultant into the post. I just don't think it's right for here.'

Mrs Boyd's views are the latest from the care sector to be against the Health and Social Services' preference for the appointment of an off-island specialist supported by a telemedicine service, which could provide virtual ward rounds and teleconferencing with staff.

The department prefer this ahead of employing a full-time consultant.

But Mrs Boyd said other variations on the employment of a consultant should be looked at before an off-island appointment was made as whoever was employed in that post would come to Guernsey only every two or three months.

She thinks twinning with a renowned teaching hospital such, as Guy's and St Thomas' would be a better alternative.

'My way would see a specialist come to Guernsey on a regular weekly basis.

'These are all ideas that need to be explored further. If you look at the number of consultant posts available in the UK, even a place like Guernsey with all its attractions could find it hard to appoint, whereas a twinned post may be more attractive.'

Mrs Boyd took over at Les Bourgs in September after 14 years as director of nursing for Pilgrims Hospices in east Kent.

'My previous post had developed over 14 years and I had very little patient contact. I spent a lot of my time travelling between three sites.

'I wanted to finish my career as I started it, with patient contact,' said the 50-year-old.

From what she has seen so far, Guernsey already offers superb palliative care and the employment of a specialist could only enhance it further.

In addition to the hospice, she praised the work the palliative care clinical nurse specialists did in the community and the hospital, the work of Dr Peter Gomes at Bulstrode House and the high calibre of GPs in Guernsey.

'A specialist would help to link all aspects of palliative care in Guernsey together for the benefit of the patients and staff.

'Our patients go through all of us so all areas have to work together. We would be doing the patients a great disservice if we didn't because they would feel the need to support one camp.'

She believes the savings in cost from one option to another should not be used as a deciding factor by the department.

'Les Bourgs' offer to finance a consultant is a genuine offer. In my experience anything that adds quality is going to cost, but I think it's worth it.'