Island’s ageing population is biggest challenge for St John

Mr Hollis took on the role recently from Stuart Place.

‘St John has a history of innovation and we will need to continue to innovate in line with Guernsey’s ageing population,’ said Mr Hollis.

‘Our ageing population is a real challenge for Guernsey. The over-85 population on the island is set to double over the next 10 years – which is good, as it means people are living longer, but we have got to be slicker in helping prevent falls and keeping the over-85 population fit and healthy.’

Mr Hollis said St John planned to work with Public Health to assess homes and provide safety equipment for people.

During his time at the States’ Trading Supervisory Board Mr Hollis has been involved in two significant reviews of the St John Emergency Ambulance Service’s operations.

‘Based on my past exposure to the emergency ambulance service, I am delighted to have the opportunity over the next few years to help front-line personnel at St John continue to deliver their outstanding care and services,’ said Mr Hollis.

‘There are opportunities there to operate more efficiently in order to best serve our community. There is room for more scope to see and treat patients at home rather than defaulting straight to hospital.

‘We can get more out of St John Training Services, which would benefit adults and young people. A few of our senior staff started young in Cadets or Badgers, which sparked their interest in medical care.’

Mr Hollis has extensive commercial experience, which he says has exemplified the importance of a successful, efficient team.

‘I recognise that we have a mix of teams, from professional to service,’ he said.

‘We have a great string of volunteers who support our front line staff.’

Mr Hollis’s mantra is: ‘If you’re not helping someone on the front line, you should be helping someone who is.’

He was interested in expanding the team of voluntary community first responders and continuing to work with Health & Social Care.

Guernsey’s St John knight commander Andrew Henton said: ‘John’s wider wealth of business and leadership experience will be of huge benefit across the different sections of the St John organisation in Guernsey.’

There are two arms to the organisation.

St John Guernsey is the charity which offers first aid cover for community and public events, organises youth programmes, the cycle response unit and Covid response services.

The St John Emergency Ambulance Service operates the island’s statutory ambulance service for the States of Guernsey, through a contract with the Health & Social Care committee. Together, the two branches of St John also run the Flying Christine marine ambulance, Community First Responders and the Volunteer Ambulance Reserves. St John in Guernsey also operates St John Training Services, providing first aid courses for businesses and individuals, and St John Healthcare, which provides mobility and access solutions and health care products for the community.