Evidence of value for money is needed now

And some way of explaining it which doesn’t resort to just sound bites.

It is what, to a great extent, the leaders sitting down at the Covid-19 press conferences have done so well and which has gone a long way to taking the community with them in, and now out, of lockdown.

But it has not all been smooth.

The primary care announcement was made at one of these conferences on 8 May, but beyond some references to telephone consultations and repeat prescriptions being cheaper, and changing the old model, not much made any sense and more information was instantly promised when it became clear few really understood what had happened.

So on Friday, with nothing received in the interim, the Health & Social Care president was pressed again to explain what was happening.

Again there was little forthcoming with a promise of more this week.

As we move out of lockdown, there will be heightened scrutiny of the decision-making process and the use of public money, that is only right.

The States pays out some £3m. to subsidise doctor consultations at the moment, and the deal struck with Queen’s Road Medical Practice was done rapidly in the middle of a public health crisis. There must be a reason for that, just as there must be for why the other two primary care groups have not come on board with whatever was on the table.

This is an area that is worthy of reform, ensuring the poorest in our society are not blocked from the health care system by cost or other access problems is paramount, as is making sure the health care system works seamlessly from first point of contact to the last.

The States has just committed to spending £20m. updating the health care records system, for example, yet there is no guarantee it will be plugged in to the GPs. The value for money of any deals in place also needs to be evidenced.

Just saying Partnership of Purpose does not explain what the vision is, there needs to be transparency and accountability.