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2016.06.28
1 Deputy C.F. Labey of Grouville of the Minister for Health and Social Services
regarding the basis on which former residents of The Limes Residential Home had been accommodated: [9523]
Further to the Minister's answer to oral question 9455 on 24th May 2016, could he confirm that the residents of the Limes Residential Home were told in the meeting which informed them that they had to move, that they would be moved on exactly the same monetary basis as they had been accommodated at the Limes?
Senator A.K.F. Green (The Minister for Health and Social Services):
I would like to thank the Deputy for her question because it gives me an opportunity to update Members on the latest developments. On 24th May this year I apologised for any confusion over the funding issue and I now know that the meeting with relatives on 8th December 2015, when residents and families were informed of the need to close The Limes, there was no discussion regarding G.P. (General Practitioner) charges. As this aspect was not clear, I have agreed to pay the G.P. costs for a small number of former Limes' residents who are affected. So it is a small number, but all who are affected. On 17th June the first reimbursement was agreed with the family and my staff are in touch with other families that may be affected to make the necessary arrangements. Once again, I apologise for the confusion.
- The Deputy of Grouville :
So to be absolutely clear, because obviously this message has not got out to some of the residents that are being affected by extra doctors' fees in hundreds of pounds, and they are the sort of people, before he tells me to tell them to go to claim low income support, they would not claim low income support. They probably are not eligible. But, in any respect, they would not. They have never done so. They are elderly people and they are very proud. To go back to my constituents, and those at large, the Minister is now undertaking to cover the doctors' fees ... if they were eligible to the doctors' fees in the Limes, is that what he is saying?
Senator A.K.F. Green:
That is absolutely correct. If my figures are right, I believe it affects 8 individuals, but I am not putting a limit on it. Anybody that was in The Limes, it was not clear about G.P.s, we will meet their bill.
[9:45]
- Deputy G.P. Southern of St. Helier :
Will the Minister confirm to Members when the decision to close The Limes was taken and whether or when it appeared on the agenda of the H.S.S.D. (Health and Social Security Department) Staff Partnership Forum where all business, finance and service developments are shared and discussed?
Senator A.K.F. Green:
That is far removed from the original question. I do not have the minutes with me, so I cannot answer that question. But I can say it was in November/December some time. I can be really upfront now because I was respectful of the patients that were in The Limes before. The reason The Limes had to close, and this message is not heard or does not want to be heard, is that when I was told as a Minister that in the event of a fire the patients would not - not unlikely - would not all get out alive, I had to do something about it.
The Bailiff :
Minister, if I may say so, I very nearly disallowed the question. This question is only about the monetary basis of the arrangements for the future and the questions do not go to The Limes generally. We have 17 questions to get through. I hope that will be helpful to Members.