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2020.01.21
9 Deputy J.H. Perchard of St. Saviour of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding
the availability of free parking to carers when visiting clients: (OQ. 7/2020)
In which scenarios, if any, are carers able to park for free when working and visiting clients? Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour (The Minister for Infrastructure):
Obviously there are some residences that have private parking onsite for carers and there will be some clients in housing associations such as Andium. I believe that some of these provide permits. I do not believe the Parish issue permits for their roads or their residential parking zones but I am intending to discuss this with the Constable as soon as a meeting can be arranged. Of course, this is a matter for all Constables, not just the Constable from St. Helier .
- Deputy J.H. Perchard:
Is it the case that carers who are working, visiting clients on any Andium estate or property, can obtain a parking permit from Andium if they were to go there and request one?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I have spoken to Andium and they assure me that if somebody applies for a permit, who is a carer and can provide identification and maybe a reference, they would be more than happy to supply a permit.
- Connétable D.W. Mezbourian of St. Lawrence :
Art therapist, biomedical scientist, dietician and social worker are just 4 of the 26 registrable occupations under the Health Care Registration (Jersey) Law 1995. The question refers to carers: will the Minister explain whether his definition of carer comes under the registrable occupations?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Yes, pretty much outside of my remit but I take the point. I am a great supporter of care in the community. The scope who qualifies for any kind of permit, carers who work full days and get paid, carers who have a quick turnaround and need to move to the next patient, carers who do cleaning or shopping services, and carers or family members who provide free caring services, Meals on Wheels providers, et cetera, the validation of who can vouch for those and request permits, the administration of anything of this nature would be quite onerous. I believe any scheme would be very difficult to implement because the number of carers, I think we are talking possibly in excess of 5,000 people. So I will leave it there but I believe in care in the community and I believe we can find an equitable solution.
- The Connétable of St. Lawrence :
I would just like to follow up on the Minister’s comments about carers because to me ... I understand that many of the questions that are being asked today have come about because domiciliary care workers have contacted some States Members. I have not been contacted at all. But it is important to recognise, as the Deputy has just mentioned, the carers who care for a wife. The husband who cares for their wife. The wife who cares for their husband. The parents who care for children. I am concerned about this because we have to be able to define clearly what a carer is and at the moment the only registrable occupations do come under the Health Care Registration (Jersey) Law. I would like to ask the Minister how he intends to deal with the family carers, and he has mentioned 5,000, but I am aware from my time as Assistant Minister for Health some years ago there were at least 10,000 carers thought to be providing care for family in the Island. How does the Minister intend to undertake this work?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
As mentioned previously, I am more than happy to talk to all the Constables who have residences and care homes in their Parishes.
- Deputy L.M.C. Doublet :
My question might have been answered. Can the Minister ensure that he considers community midwives and health visitors that are visiting families in his considerations please?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Absolutely. It is all part of care in the community.
- Deputy J.H. Perchard:
I do appreciate the complexity around the solution to this issue aptly raised by the Connétable of St. Lawrence . The Minister just stated that: “I believe we can find an equitable solution.” What steps will he take to reach this equitable solution and by when?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I have already spoken briefly to the Constable of St. Helier , a formal meeting will be set up and I will be speaking to the other Constables as and when.