Law firm fields 250 inquiries in rheumatology case

The health minister said he was exploring alternative compensation schemes for those affected

The law firm representing people who were treated by Jersey’s Rheumatology Department said it had received 250 individual inquiries.

Viberts said it had also been contacted by families of patients who died when under the care of the department.

Jersey’s Health and Community Services is investigating patient deaths to see if the treatment they received was to blame for their deaths.

Deputy medical director Simon West has said previously that 11 deaths linked to treatment at the rheumatology had been earmarked for further review.

'Further review'

An independent report by The Royal College of Physicians found in April 2023 that Jersey’s rheumatology service was "well below" what was considered acceptable.

In some cases patients were misdiagnosed or given medicine they did not need, report authors said.

Deputy medical director Simon West has said previously about 90 of the 182 deaths linked to treatment at the rheumatology had been reviewed.

He said of these, 11 had been earmarked for further review and health bosses were considering sending a single-figure amount of cases to the Viscount.

Viberts said in a statement: "Thirteen formal letters of claim have been sent to the minister and the medical defence organisations representing the doctors involved."

These letters have been sent to try to resolve matters before formal court action is taken, it said.

In April 2024, Health Minister Deputy Tom Binet said he was exploring alternative compensation schemes for all those patients adversely affected.

Deputy Jonathan Renouf said the minister should be more transparent about investigations into the rheumatology service failings

Viberts said it was "concerned to ensure the terms of any such compensation scheme are announced as soon as possible and that there is full transparency and the swift resolution of all claims".

At a health scrutiny panel meeting last week, the deputy medical director Simon West said it was "likely" a very small proportion rheumatology patients died because of the care they received.

Those cases are due to be referred to the Viscount's Department, which carries out orders made by the Royal Court of Jersey and the duties of the coroner by administering inquests.

Deputy Jonathan Renouf, vice-chair of the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel, said it was time for the health minister to be more transparent.

"I do feel there are a lot of questions swirling around, and the fact we are having to process in detail comments made in a scrutiny meeting, it suggests there is uncertainty and things aren’t clear," he said.

"I would love the minister to come forward and say this is what we know, this is what is going on, this is what will happen next, that clarity I think will be welcomed by everyone in the island."

Deputy Binet told the States Assembly on Tuesday that he was "a little bit anxious about statements being made about deaths being caused, certain matters have been referred to the viscount and it’s incumbent to hear what the viscount has to say before speculating".