Criticism of ‘words not action’ is unfair – HSC

Heidi Soulsby was responding to comments made by Guernsey Community Foundation chief executive Jim Roberts, who expressed his support for HSC’s Partnership of Purpose, but added that ‘as the months tick by, the emphasis continues to be on words rather than action’.

‘I cannot allow those comments to go unchallenged,’ replied Deputy Soulsby.

‘The criticism is unfair to all the dedicated and committed staff of Health & Social Care and its partners in the private and third sectors who are working extremely hard to put measures in place to transform services and meet the population needs that have long been identified and which this committee is tackling.

‘For a start, you don’t bring an estimated overspend of £4.5m. at the start of the term to an underspend two years later through twiddling your thumbs.’

‘It requires action. System grip, cost and service improvements and wider transformation are real and tangible.’

The next few months will see the formation of the Health Improvement Commission, focused on prevention and early intervention, the identification of the principal community hub that will bring together community services and HSC’s plans for the re-profiling of the PEH.

‘The establishment of a shadow Channel Islands Health Authority with Jersey and the opportunities that this will provide for transformation should also not go unnoticed,’ said Deputy Soulsby. ‘It’s worth pointing out that these will support the third sector in various ways.

‘Of particular interest, and in response to the comments made by the foundation on their concerns for a growing elderly population, is the work that has been carried out on the first Population Needs Assessment, which is focusing on older people and on which significant progress has been made. From this assessment we can determine how to best match needs and service provision to older people in the Bailiwick, future-proofing services as far as possible.

‘The Partnership of Purpose is about working together to put the needs of the service user at the centre.

‘In support of this we have set up the Commissioning Academy to bring the state, private and third sectors together to do just this and to arrive at 100-day action plans on two particular areas of concern – the first on re-ablement to support recovery in the community, the second on the challenge of social isolation and loneliness whilst supporting independence.

‘Clearly we need to do more to get the message out as to the incredible amount of work that is going on and we will be setting out progress online in order that everyone can be assured that we are absolutely focused on action and not words.’