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20.10.20
20 Deputy G.P. Southern of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the regulation and governance of the delivery of care in people's homes (OQ.280/2020):
Will the Minister outline for Members which bodies are responsible for the regulation and governance of the delivery of care in people's homes, and what (if any) improvements he proposes for this sector under the new Jersey Care Model?
The Deputy of St. Ouen (The Minister for Health and Social Services):
Currently care delivered in people's homes is regulated by the Jersey Care Commission. Each service providing care is required to register with the Commission and, in addition, each professional is required to be registered with the Commission to practice in Jersey. Each organisation who provides care has its own governance arrangements to provide assurance for themselves, for the people who access the service and stakeholders. In relation to the implementation of the Jersey Care Model, the model sets out a commissioning framework and as part of commissioning and developing new or more care services in the community there will be scope to enhance the governance provision through those commissioning arrangements.
[11:45]
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
What opportunity does the Minister envisage to enable the delivery of the ethical care charter passed by this House?
The Deputy of St. Ouen :
I do anticipate good opportunities. I know the Deputy 's interest in it but we are seeking to deliver more care in community settings, more appropriate care and the value of the organisations that work in the community are recognised and their roles will be enhanced. In that connection we can ensure through proper commissioning arrangements that standards are set in place for employees and for service users.
- Deputy R.J. Ward :
Does the Minister have any concerns about the growing number of larger U.K.-based companies taking responsibility for care both in nursing homes and in the home on the Island, and that we may be losing governance of that sector more and more with these large non-linked to Jersey companies?
The Deputy of St. Ouen :
I think that is really a matter for the Jersey Care Commission to consider what risks there may be. It is not a matter which lies within the control of myself as Minister for Health and Social Services or Health and Community Services. I would much prefer that we had a local workforce delivering care. Sometimes that has been difficult to ensure where 24-hour or overnight care has been necessary. It is difficult to obtain local people who might wish to do that sort of work. For that reason U.K. companies have sent agency staff across to deliver that care in people's homes. As to the governance of the organisations around it, that is subject to the high standards imposed by the Care Commission.
Deputy G.P. Southern :
Just to say that I look forward to delivering and working with the Minister in delivering the ethical care charter after 2 years.