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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY THE CONNÉTABLE OF ST. JOHN
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 1st APRIL 2014
Question
Further to the situation that arose last year when a patient who had been sent from Jersey to Southampton and recommended treatment using the drug cabazitaxel was declined this treatment on return to Jersey because this drug was not made available by the Hospital (even though it might have improved his quality of life before he passed away) will the Minister, in view of the budget underspend recently reported, give serious consideration to setting aside funds to ensure that the treatments recommended by specialists in Southampton can be implemented when patients return to Jersey and, if not, why not?
Answer
The Department's 2013 under spend and approved use of this under spend is fully documented in the Minister for Treasury and Resources' decision MD-TR-2014-0011.
This has been considered by Council of Ministers and approved by the Minister for Treasury and Resources as set out in MD-TR-2014-0011. This includes funding for a number of very urgent and largely unavoidable clinical priorities including essential high cost off island placements, a targeted reduction in the waiting time for surgery, and measures to manage hospital capacity pending the development of new hospital facilities.
I have given this issue serious consideration to a whole range of issues including this one. In discussion with clinical colleagues and have concluded that for 2014 the existing policy remains.
As I explained in my answer to my oral question 7790 / 2013; importantly all treatments recommended by specialists from Southampton and other UK specialist centres are individually clinically considered and assessed according to our existing policy.