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1240/5(6610)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 6th DECEMBER 2011
Question
During the debate on the Draft Annual Business Plan 2012 (P.123/2011), the Minister presented comments to amendment P.123/2011 Amd. (6) which referred to the following unscoped user pays proposals -
"(n) Patient Transport Review PTS provision (user pays)
- Introduce an A&E charging mechanism (user pays)
- Review thresholds for travel to the UK for elective surgery (user pays)
- Consider the re-introduction of prescription charges by H&SS (user pays)
- Surgical specialties: non-urgent cosmetic procedures (user pays)
- Income generation initiatives within Community and Social Services (user pays)."
Elsewhere in the Annual Business Plan, in relation to the initiatives in (t) it stated "Some savings proposals within Community and Social Services require further scoping but could include a review of Occupational Therapy Services less SLA annual increases."
Will the Minister inform members which of these proposals, if any, are now fully scoped and give members full details of those that are? If any are not yet scoped, will she state whether, or when, they will be, and whether she will bring these proposals to the States for final approval by members and, if not, why not?
Answer
The user pays projects identified in the question are in the following stages of development:- (n) Patient Transport Review PTS provision
This project has been scoped. It is awaiting discussion and authorisation by senior management prior to being submitted to the Minister for consideration.
- Introduce an A&E charging mechanism
Project scoping is well underway. Pending the outcome of that scoping exercise further analysis may potentially be undertaken during Q1 2012.
- Review thresholds for travel to the UK for elective surgery
This project remains unscoped but the intention is for it to be researched as soon as capacity is available. There is currently no established timeframe due to the lack of capacity associated with this particular project.
- Consider the re introduction of prescription charges by H&SS
This project is scoped. It is awaiting discussion with Social Security and authorisation by senior management prior to being submitted to the Minister for consideration.
- Surgical specialities: non urgent cosmetic procedures-
This project has been scoped by the relevant clinicians. Work will be undertaken during Q1 in relation to finalising a number of operational issues, at which point it will be re- submitted to the Minister for consideration.
- Income generation initiatives within Community and Social Services
Two income generation projects are currently being considered. The first relates to charging other jurisdictions for access to secure accommodation. This project has been scoped and awaits legal opinion. The second relates to crematorium services. This project is being scoped and awaits further deliberation.
Following a review of the occupational therapy service a vacant part time post working within the special needs services has been removed (10 hours per week). There are no other planned projects for occupational therapy services at the current time.
We are currently reviewing all SLAs and grants across Community and Social Services to ensure the public receive value for money and that they deliver against our business needs.
Once projects details are available and have been be considered by the Minister, they will be available to interested States Members. The Minister will comply with P63/2003 with regard to all new user pays charges, therefore all new charges will come to the Assembly for consideration.