Guernsey's HSC went over budget by £4m in 2023

During the hearing HSC President Al Brouard expressed his intention to  look at raising more money through increasing fees for A&E

For the second year running Guernsey's Health and Social Care Committee (HSC) overspent its budget by £4m.

The figure was revealed by Darren Smith, who leads on finance for HSC, at a scrutiny hearing.

The overspend was blamed on the current need for agency and temporary staff to cover vacancies.

HSC's projected budget for 2023 was estimated at £212m.

'Substantial increases in funds'

During the hearing HSC President Al Brouard expressed his intention to look at raising more money through increasing fees for A&E.

Mr Brouard warned "we can't provide services this century with last century's taxes".

He said: "The services we require will need a substantial increase in funds, whether it's income tax or GST.

"But if you do, someone will have to pay more, and islanders will have to move on this."

He expressed his disappointment in the performance of this States when it came to raising more revenue for public services.

"I don't think we've raised enough tax, I don't think we have funded ourselves," he said.

"We should be in the position where we have repointed the harbour walls, built the extension to the hospital, had the keyworker accommodation up and running.

"We are behind the curve, as our States wants to do populism as we want more services and no less tax. That doesn't work."

'Find small efficiencies'

Mr Smith said HSC was looking at efficiencies to try to cut costs.

In 2023 the overspend on staffing in total was £1.8m, according to Mr Smith.

He said "we will do what we can to try to manage ahead to find small efficiencies, which will hopefully save hundreds of thousands of pounds".

The cost of agency staff was the main driver behind the overspend, it was revealed.