Long-term care review gets under way

Deputy Tina Bury is pleased work on long-term care has been prioritised by Policy and Resources

Guernsey's top political committee is appointing officials to oversee a review of the funding of long-term care according to the President of Employment and Social Security (ESS).

The review has already been identified as a priority for some politicians this term, with funding for long-term care set to run out if reforms are not made.

Earlier this year deputies agreed a short-term solution for the issue, which include user-pays contributions of up to £10,000 and increasing co-payments.

ESS President Tina Bury said: "This will be a big piece of work and from the centre it is good news that P&R is appointing officers to this work."

Former Employment and Social Security President Michelle Le Clerc said this would be one of the most difficult issues for the States to sort this term.

She suggested many deputies may have to compromise that people will have to use part of their family home to pay for long-term care - something which was opposed by many politicians in the last political term.

Discussions around the future of long-term care fell down last term after the three committees involved, Policy and Resources, Health and Social Care and ESS failed to come to an agreement on the way forward.

Some of the politicians on these committees said the best option would be to consider the future of long-term care alongside changes to the island's tax system.

A debate on the future of Guernsey's tax system is expected before the end of June next year.