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States Greffe
Deputy Kristina Moore , Chief Minister Deputy Tom Binet , Minister for Infrastructure
BY EMAIL
13th July 2023
Dear Deputy Moore and Deputy Binet ,
Cost and transparency of New Healthcare Facilities Programme
The purpose of this letter is to follow up on the Panel’s briefing on the Strategic Business Case stage reached by the New Healthcare Facilities Programme team. It also follows the Chief Minister’s response to this Panel’s request for more detail about the financial information which will be made available.
You will be aware that the Panel’s current terms of reference for examining the New Healthcare Facilities includes the commitment:
To monitor current and anticipated spending on the project to deliver new healthcare facilities.
The Panel therefore acknowledges receipt of the Strategic Outline Case which has been provided to its members on a confidential basis in order that some examination of the costs contained in that document can take place.
The confidential nature of this release does raise concerns for the Panel about the lack of transparency this will necessarily entail for its examination given that there does not seem to be any intention to provide publicly an overall figure for the whole Programme or – in the Panel’s understanding – an indication of the cost of the constituent projects until the publication of the relevant Government Plan in each case.
The Panel has heard the justification presented by the New Healthcare Facilities Programme team that:
• Revealing an estimated budget for a project could put Government at a commercial disadvantage.
• The overall cost of a programme of projects over a period of years is difficult to accurately predict.
However, it is also apparent from the Strategic Outline Case that figures have been produced which are indicative of an estimated overall cost and speak directly to the overall affordability of the programme. Without some indication of the costs involved and the reasoning for them it will be difficult for States Members to make an informed decision on the multi-site phased option which the Government has identified as its preferred choice.
The Panel would be grateful if, in response to this letter, you could clearly set out your reason for not providing the overall figure – even if it is estimated – that you are attaching to your preferred option.
Further, it would ask that you reconsider your decision. It is the Panel’s view that transparency which would allow for open discussion with States Members and the public at this early stage would help to enhance confidence in the programme throughout its lifespan.
Yours sincerely
Deputy Sam Mézec
Chair
Future Hospital Review Panel
Scrutiny Office | States Greffe | Morier House | St Helier | Jersey | JE1 1DD Tel: 01534 441080 | email: scrutiny@gov.je