PEH modernisation now more likely after States vote
Hospital modernisation has become more likely to continue, after States members voted 20-19 yesterday to put the project into more of the options available to them during this week’s tax and spending debate.
The second phase of improvements to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital has been estimated to cost some £120m. and the narrow vote has ensured that it is more prevalent within the rapidly-evolving menu of options being discussed for the new States Funding and Investment Plan.
Presenting the proposal, Health & Social Care president Al Brouard argued that the project was a special case for securing capital funding.
Phase one is already well progressed, but Deputy Brouard wanted to ensure that phase two would go ahead, regardless of which of Policy & Resources’ options was chosen by members.
His amendment – seconded by HSC vice-president Tina Bury – offered its own suite of options as to how this would be funded, whether from the capital reserve or from the health reserve.
Hear more from Deputy Al Brouard on our daily 'Shorthand States' podcast, with Matt Fallaize and Simon De La Rue
‘You’re going to need to increase the facilities at the hospital at some stage,’ he said.
‘It is not going to be any cheaper tomorrow than it is today. You can do something about it now or you can leave it as a fudge for somebody else to pick up.’
Staff would be lost, doctors would be harder to recruit, and services would suffer if members did not back his proposal, he said.
Deputy Bury urged members to recognise the urgency of improving the PEH, rather than relying on sending patients to the UK for treatment.
‘The magic wand of “elsewhere” doesn’t exist,’ she said.
‘We do need our own capacity and efficiency here. We’re already struggling and the demographics aren’t even on the horizon anymore – they’re on the doorstep.’
The current, unmodernised hospital was carrying unacceptable clinical risk, she said.
Among those objecting to HSC’s approach was Economic Development president Deputy Neil Inder, who said that there was nothing in its argument that could not equally be made by Education, Sport & Culture in its wish to secure funding for the new post-16 campus at Les Ozouets.
His particular concern was that the continuation of the hospital modernisation would lead to a facility that required considerably more staff but without the island having anywhere to house them.
‘We simply can’t ignore the housing problem,’ he said, claiming the hospital could become ‘a white elephant’ – a fully modernised facility without the staff to make it function.
This was a legacy of having failed to approve a new Dairy in 2018, he said, which was in turn a result of having a system of government with no holistic vision.
HSC member Deputy Marc Leadbeater countered that phase two would not be complete until 2030, by which time, key-worker housing – widely considered a priority – would have been addressed.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez confirmed that 120 units of housing were expected to be completed within the vicinity of the hospital over the next couple of years.
Deputy Lester Queripel said members would be hypocritical if, having said housing was a priority, they committed the local building industry to a series of other major projects.
Deputy John Dyke had similar concerns, saying local building firms may be unable to cope with carrying out all such work simultaneously.
‘I know the builders have said “we can manage two projects at once” but that’s like asking my dear departed Springer spaniel if she can cope with two cans of dog food instead of one,’ he said.
HSC’s proposal was supported enthusiastically by Deputy Liam McKenna, who pointed out the inadequacies of the current arrangement of wards, and stressed the opportunity for medical tourism represented by the ‘huge’ new facility.
Deputy Nick Moakes shared his enthusiasm for modernising the PEH but said he also wanted Les Ozouets, Leale’s Yard and other projects to proceed – all of which would be possible if HSC members, and others, voted for P&R’s favoured revenue raising measures.
ESC president Deputy Andrea Dudley-Owen said she had decided not to lay a similar amendment regarding Les Ozouets because she recognised both projects were essential.
‘Neither of us should have to come to this assembly with a begging bowl,’ she said.
‘Both of the projects have been approved. Both are tightly managed.’
P&R members Deputy Bob Murray and Mark Helyar echoed this.
‘The consequence of not wanting to raise money is that we can’t spend it,’ said Deputy Helyar.
