Partnership must be an inspiration

Well, apart from the fact that the savings were largely attributed to lower expenditure on repairs and maintenance, and a much higher number of vacant jobs than anyone could have expected, the committees clearly should be congratulated.

However… the cloud to this lining of silver is another overspend at Health & Social Care. £3.7m. will surprise nobody, with the use of agency staff still rampant, and the committee seemingly powerless to do anything much to address it.

Reminds one of 2017, when the States warned of deep-seated challenges within the health and care system. Except at that time, HSC was underspending on its £180m. budget by nearly £5m., managing its vacancies along the way. Now it’s heading over £210m. with no sign of stopping.

Talking about no sign of, where is the one-time heralded Partnership of Purpose in all this? If ever there was a time to look radically at the provision of health services, this is surely it.

In 2017 the States was warning it was ‘vital’ to set out a defined and prioritised programme to deliver transformational change. And although it occasionally gets defended, it appears that any momentum of this partnership has long since ebbed away.

Ironically, reviving an initiative such as this would be a great way for the Reducing the Cost of Public Services Sub-Committee to show it means business.