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2019.01.15
7 Deputy K.G. Pamplin of St. Saviour of the Minister for Health and Social Services
regarding the role of the new Director General of Health and Community Services in relation to Mental Health Services: [OQ.5/2019]
Further to the appointment of the new Director General of Health and Community Services, would the Minister provide an update on the appointment of a Director of Community and Adult Services and a Head of Health Modernisation following the end of their 6-month interim contracts of the current post-holders?
Deputy R.J. Renouf of St. Ouen (The Minister for Health and Social Services):
The interim contracts of the post-holders in question ended on 20th December 2018. The post of Director of Community and Mental Health Services has not been re-advertised, as the executive leadership for Community and Mental Health Services is now vested in the Group Managing Director of Health and Community Services. This is intended to signify the parity between mental health and community services, alongside the hospital-provided services. As to the other post, as part of the Health and Community Services target operating model, the retention of the post of Head of Health Modernisation for up to 3 years is proposed, while P.82 initiatives are further developed and changes set out in the target operating model consultation document are implemented. The current incumbent to that post is continuing in the role on an interim basis until the substantive post is advertised.
- Deputy K.G. Pamplin:
I thank the Minister for his answer. Can I just seek a further clarification about the post-holder that was the Director of Community and Adult Services, as you mentioned, those contracts came up 20th December? As we met him in various guises during various Scrutiny processes that we were undertaking, including our mental health review, to suddenly find he was not available to us. Could we just seek a bit of clarification on what has happened with his role and why he left his interim post?
The Deputy of St. Ouen :
It was always an interim 6-month appointment, which came to an end on 20th December. The reason why that post was not continued is because there is a view that mental health deserves parity with physical health and, therefore, to set it under a separate director was not thought appropriate. It was thought more appropriate that the group managing director should exercise the executive leadership role covering all aspects of the department.
- Deputy K.G. Pamplin:
Does the Minister for Health and Social Services agree with me that as we go forward with the changes to our health system, as recognised by the Comptroller and Auditor General in her report on health governance, that interim contracts were very important? We must be looking forward and ahead to succession planning so that these heavily-paid salaries can be started to look towards people and individuals who work within the Island, that these roles can be developed in the Island for the future, instead of these interim contracts coming in great volume at great time, at great expense to the States of Jersey.
The Deputy of St. Ouen :
I can only agree with the Deputy . I think that is what we should work towards.