Work starts on health review recommendations

Deputy Tom Binet told the States that the work had started after a review

Work has started on 11 of 36 recommendations made by an independent review into Jersey’s orthopaedics and theatres departments, Health Minister Tom Binet says.

The report was compiled to address long waiting times and to "ensure the best outcomes for patients", authors said.

The review’s recommendations include: implementing strategies to address high rates of absence, exploring best practice strategies to improve management of underperforming employees and to establish a list of standby patients to fill gaps in theatre schedules.

When the review was commissioned, Deputy Binet said it was "with the specific aim of improving hospital efficiency and increasing productivity".

'Greater efficiencies'

The report was published in July by the Getting It Right First Time Project Team at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.

Binet told Jersey’s States Assembly that the surgical care group which was responsible for implementing the recommendations had "started work", but he was unable to specify which recommendations work was under way on.

Former Chief Minister Deputy Kristina Moore asked Deputy Binet if he had the right expertise in his team to bring about "greater efficiencies" after two senior health leaders left their roles last week.

The health minister emphatically replied: "Yes."

Orthopaedics and theatre are two of several Jersey hospital departments that have been reviewed this year.

Rheumatology, radiology and the hospital pharmacy department have all also been subject to independent reviews.