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2014.11.25
4.4 Deputy J.A. Hilton of St. Helier of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the department's Deputy Directors of Commissioning:
Will the Minister confirm whether both Deputy Directors of Commissioning have left or will be leaving the employ of the Health Department shortly, and outline what steps, if any, have been taken to fill those roles given that the officeholders were undertaking key pieces of work, including the Mental Health Strategy and Service Review?
Connétable J.M. Refault of St. Peter (Assistant Minister for Health and Social Services -
rapporteur):
It is neither the Minister's nor my intention to discuss or make statements in this Assembly on any personnel matters that relate to identifiable individuals other than to reassure Members that appropriate procedures are in place for dealing with all matters relating to the recruitment of staff within Health and Social Services. Both the Minister and I would be happy to meet with the Deputy privately outside of the Assembly to discuss any specific concerns or issues she may well have. I can however reassure the Assembly that the key work around the mental health strategy is on track.
- Deputy J.A. Hilton:
One of the Deputy Commissioners was heavily involved in the primary care review, which is already delayed. Can the Assistant Minister tell me whether or tell the Assembly how this piece of work is going to be progressed in the absence of that key member of staff?
The Connétable of St. Peter :
The work is continuing on. It is being shared for the moment. We will, if required, bring in interim staff to assist us to further that work for the primary care review and community services review. G.P.s (general practitioners) are already involved within the primary care system and are working with us on the community services section of that as well. It is not our intention to seek to bring staff in from the U.K. (United Kingdom) but I am sure the Deputy will recognise that sometimes it is useful to bring an external view in to ensure that we are working in the best possible way going forward, and this may well give us an opportunity to do that in this particular case.
- Deputy J.A. Hilton:
Can the Assistant Minister confirm that the mental health strategy and service review is going to be on schedule? My understanding was that the Minister for Health was going to report back to the Assembly with a timeline as to when this is going to be delivered. Can he assure us that there is not going to be any delay involved in that?
The Connétable of St. Peter :
I can do that. I had a briefing earlier this morning that confirmed that that strategy is on schedule and continuing to go forward. I cannot give the timeline - I did not address the actual timeline this morning - but certainly the officers assured me there will be no delay in delivering that project.