Rheumatology deaths investigation to end in 2025

A progress report will be submitted to the Health & Care Services Advisory Board

The investigation into the deaths of 182 rheumatology patients in Jersey since 2019 is expected to be concluded early next year, according to the minister for health and social services.

The investigation was called after an independent review was highly critical of the service.

Health Minister Deputy Tom Binet said a progress report would be submitted to the Health & Care Services Advisory Board in January and the investigation was expected to conclude in the first quarter of 2025.

He said the report would include the updated number of cases referred to the Viscount and the number of cases still being investigated.

Dr Adrian Noon, chief of service for medicine, previously said 2,400 patients, who are still alive, had been reviewed in 2023.

Chris Bown, chief officer of the health department, said any level of harm to patients was unacceptable and the department would be in discussions with lawyers about appropriate compensation.