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Organ Donation Memorial (P.25/2025): comments

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STATES OF JERSEY

ORGAN DONATION MEMORIAL (P.25/2025): COMMENTS

Presented to the States on 15th April 2025 by the Minister for Health and Social Services

STATES GREFFE

2025  P.25 Com.

COMMENTS

The Council of Ministers accepts the proposition brought by Deputy Stephenson to take the necessary steps to ensure that a public memorial to organ donation is provided as part of the planning commitments of the Acute Hospital at Overdale, or any subsequent hospital developments, to the Percentage for Art Scheme.

Ministers recognise that organ and tissue donation saves and transforms lives. In Jersey, both deceased and living donors, along with their families, have made an extraordinary contribution to the health and wellbeing of others.

The new Acute Hospital at Overdale includes a commitment to public art, and work is underway to develop a Therapeutic Arts Strategy (TAS). Ministers understand that it is appropriate for organ donors to be recognised through a memorial at the Acute Hospital as part of the broader TAS for the project.

As Deputy Stephenson highlights in her proposition, incorporating public memorials to organ donors is a common feature in the development of Percentage for Art schemes within healthcare settings. The Council emphasises that any initiative of this nature needs to be handled with great sensitivity to ensure it is both impactful and respectful, without being intrusive or distressing for current patients who may be facing life- changing or life-threatening conditions.

Ministers are confident that the Programme's Arts Advisor – who will lead this aspect of the TAS in collaboration with the New Healthcare Facilities Programme team – brings the necessary expertise to deliver this sensitively and appropriately, having successfully integrated organ donation memorials into healthcare arts strategies in the past, including at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Finally,  Ministers  would  also  like  to  emphasise  the  importance  of  including  the memorial within the broader TAS for the Acute Hospital, to ensure it is developed through proper consultation and engagement.

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P.25/2025 Com.