Health Minister Has No Intentions of Consulting the Public

Jersey’s Health Minister, Deputy Tom Binet, has defended his decision not to seek public consultation regarding plans to overhaul the island’s health service.

Earlier this year, Deputy Binet outlined proposals to separate the health service from the government, suggesting the creation of a new board to oversee it through a separate fund. During a debate on Tuesday, some States members expressed surprise that public opinion had not been sought before moving forward with the plans.

In a statement following the debate, Binet argued that public consultation on the restructure was unnecessary. He said, "Do people want me to consult on matters that aren’t suitable for public consultation, causing delays, or do they want me to get on with the job? I came into this role to make progress, and I’m working as hard as I can to address the issues. My inbox is filled with complaints about the health service, and I’m determined to make improvements."

Binet emphasised that he had already consulted with professionals, charities, care homes, home care providers, and general practitioners, describing these discussions as "pretty comprehensive."

However, Deputy Jonathan Renouf, a member of the Health and Social Security Panel, disagreed with Binet's stance. "It’s understandable to want to move forward, but we must ensure we're doing things right. The only way to do that is through scrutiny, which should involve both politicians and the public. This is a key part of democracy, and the minister seems to have a dismissive view of that process."

Renouf also pointed out that in July 2024, the health minister had promised a public consultation in a letter to the hospital review panel. Binet acknowledged this oversight, explaining that he did not believe a consultation was necessary for the planned changes.