Guernsey health services 'need millions of pounds'

Health Minister Paul Luxon said some services would have to stop and others cut back

Guernsey's health department will need millions of pounds to deliver important changes, the States has been warned.

The Health and Social Services Department overspent its 2014 budget of £113m by £4.6m, but Health Minister Paul Luxon has warned of rising costs.

He said it was due to various factors including serious concerns raised in a review of midwifery services and building upgrades.

Deputy Luxon said the department needed a "fundamental transformation".

He said: "That might mean some services we have to stop, diminish and at the same time we've got to accept inflation is a factor around the world and of course the aging demographic."

Mr Luxon said while health was "very important to the 63,000 of us on the island", the changes had to be "realistic and pragmatic" in ensuring services were "safe, stable, affordable and sustainable".

Treasury Minister Gavin St Pier said: "We must ensure that our public services are appropriately funded and we must do this based on evidence.

"However, we must also ensure that the taxpayer only pays what is essential to deliver the services required."

The two departments have commissioned an external review to cost and prioritise the services provided by the health department.