Scrutiny is needed on PEH costs
THE way that some States contracts can just leap in price in a very short space of time is bothering many – sadly it seems most of them from outside of the States Chamber.
Cost estimates for the second phase of the redevelopment of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital have now trebled in just five years, from £50m. in 2019 to a projected £150m. today.
Let alone from wondering how we will pay for this project, islanders will want to know why these costs are seemingly out of control well before spades go in the ground.
Certainly, if support for this project was as marginal as the backing for the post-16 campus at Les Ozouets, it would now be in serious doubt.
Frankly though, these costs, and indeed, the whole project, require some deep scrutiny. The booming price tag also comes with a significant cost in extra staff required, none of whom, one suspects, are currently in post.
The benefits to the community have been outlined and are clearly important, but if we can’t control costs, then there has to be a re-evaluation of what health care we want and can pay for.
Even the independent health ‘watchdog’ CareWatch says so.
‘We need transparency,’ it says today.
We need transparency, scrutiny, and a fresh look at how we as a community manage our expectations on health care.