MSG move fallout dents confidence

Just how the private firm responsible for the single biggest States contract – some £17m. a year – can come up with a proposal that has left it so out of kilter with those paying the bill is concerning.

Only in March it was announced that the MSG had secured a new deal for the next five years to provide secondary healthcare, ‘heralding a new era of even greater collaboration between the two parties’.

How quickly things fall apart.

This relocation plan should have been revealed then, in the interests of an open and transparent relationship and one that ensures the best experience for patients.

The reaction from Health & Social Care and the Policy & Resources president makes it appear that this was not the case.

Indeed, MSG did not proactively publicise its plans to relocate to Park Street, it was only after media enquiries that it spoke about it for the first time earlier this week.

Deputy Gavin St Pier’s response was unusually forceful.

There is no benefit to patients, he argues, only a taxpayer-funded financial reward for the MSG partners.

MSG say that having outgrown its current location, it will be bringing its main services all under one roof, still close to the hospital, but in a location more convenient for those visiting.

It does not believe there is suitable space at the PEH to provide what it wants and that HSC should concentrate on upgrading other areas first, including maternity and critical care.

HSC counter that there is not only space at PEH to meet the MSG’s needs, but that work would not stop the rest of the transformation.

For the public this is a question of confidence.

Everyone wants to be confident that they are being cared for in the best possible way – and also that money that could be going on that care is not being wasted instead on unnecessary bricks and mortar.

Nothing that anyone is saying at the moment inspires that confidence.