Jersey and Guernsey unite for health care plan

There is a plan for Jersey and Guernsey to collaborate over healthcare plans

Jersey's and Guernsey's health authorities have pledged to work together to improve healthcare.

The Channel Island Alliance for Health and Social Care will "explore options for more joint working".

The alliance would provide a forum for "collaboration and partnership" to make the system "more integrated and resilient", the Government of Jersey said.

It would identify "where innovation and transformational change" was required.

The move was also about enabling "affordable" developments that would deliver the "best outcomes" for both communities, the government added.

Minister Tom Binet said sharing resources and information was important

Deputy Tom Binet, Minister for Health and Social Services in Jersey, said: "It is becoming increasingly important for our islands to share resources and information that will strengthen the sustainability of our health and social care services and provide greater value for money."

Deputy Al Brouard, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care in Guernsey, said recruiting and retaining staff were among shared challenges for Guernsey and Jersey, as well as delivering services for an "ageing demographic".

"Where there is the potential to work together both islands' health authorities are committing to do so", he added.

The alliance, which includes senior staff from both islands, aims to meet six times a year and report to their respective political leaders quarterly, Jersey's government said.

It will identify core areas of focus to develop each year, including operational delivery and recruitment, it added.