‘Health and social care is an all-government issue’ - Soulsby

Policy & Resources president Lyndon Trott and vice-president Heidi Soulsby, a former Health president, defended the current committee under questioning from the Scrutiny Management Committee, but also made it clear that it needed more support.

‘This is part of the problem we have, we look at health and we think it’s a problem for HSC,’ said Deputy Soulsby.

‘They are picking up the pieces all the time, dealing with the problems and illnesses, but health and social care is an all-government issue and is fundamental to the cost of government.

‘The issues we have with housing, environment, how we support the poorest in our community, they all have knock-on effect on health, and that health effect then costs HSC.

‘It is a key aspect of government as a whole and you can’t just dump it on one committee and expect them to sort it out.’

Deputy Soulsby, who led the concept of the ‘Partnership of Purpose’ in her time leading HSC, and remains frustrated at the lack of progress made, said she backed early investment in health-related areas to drive a more sustainable health service.

‘HSC is at the bottom dealing with all the problems, which is why I think public health should be at centre of government, not stuck in a health committee,’ she said.

‘Their role is absolutely fundamental in understanding the problems of the island.’

Asked if the committee still retained confidence in HSC, Deputy Soulsby said, ‘I don’t see where we would not’.

‘Their problem is that there is a lot going on and what we need to do is all-government support of that committee, to understand their issues and help them through it. We’ve had discussions with HSC but we really need to pick up the pace. We can’t let it drift any longer and I’m determined to help HSC make that happen.’

P&R denied that health spending was out of control, but Deputy Trott said that while he believed that, health and health inflation had a ‘voracious appetite’ and he said ‘unreservedly’ that health spending, including long term care costs, did have the capacity to run out of control.

Deputy Soulsby said it appeared that HSC was still ‘picking up the pieces’ post-Covid and she was disappointed that the committee post-2020 had not pushed the Partnership of Purpose forward.

She was also critical of the loss of senior staff, particularly on capital projects, and having no chief officer in the department to assist with setting strategic direction and staying on top of major issues.

‘It was all right for me, I was on top of my brief, but for a new committee with no chief officer role, it absolutely makes a difference.’