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2018.10.09
2 Deputy S.M. Ahier of St. Helier of the Minister for Health and Social Services
regarding the death of an elderly man at the Jersey General Hospital; [OQ.138/2018]
Will the Minister advise whether there will be an inquiry into whether there was any lack of care, attention and treatment which resulted in the death of an elderly man at the Jersey General Hospital, as reported in the Jersey Evening Post on 21st September 2018, and will he further assure the Assembly that any recommendations arising from any such inquiry will be met with defined and measurable actions?
Deputy R.J. Renouf of St. Ouen (The Minister for Health and Social Services):
The case to which Deputy Ahier refers has been subject to an inquest. This is a public proceeding held by the Viscount in order to establish, among other matters, the cause of a person's death. In the case of this gentleman's death - therefore information is a matter of public record - the Viscount inquired into the circumstances and, in this case, she has not made any recommendations relating to the care, attention or treatment offered at the hospital.
3.2.1 Deputy S.M. Ahier :
Will the Minister further assure the Assembly that everything possible will be done to ensure that all members of society, regardless of age or cognitive ability, will receive the appropriate treatment, care and consideration without prejudice?
The Deputy of St. Ouen :
Absolutely, I can give that assurance. Our hospital is staffed by professional people whose whole ethos is to deliver the best care without fear or favour.
[9:45]
They are all subject to codes of practice imposed by various professional bodies and those, of course, as to be expected, are taken very seriously. The hospital has robust procedures to investigate incidents, particularly such as this, an unexpected death, but of course unexpected things and unexpected deaths will happen in a hospital. They are properly investigated. I can go into details of procedures but it is perhaps not appropriate for an oral question. But in written questions or in Scrutiny hearings, if the Deputy wished to tease out the detail of these procedures, I would gladly assist.