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Following the many articles and information we have received regarding the proposed new hospital and its projected cost I would like to comment.
The building of the hospital on the Overdale site seems ridiculous for many reasons and one is certainly the extra costs involved.
Building on top of a hill with difficult access seems nonsense. As we know this will also create more cost and disruption widening the road, moving the Bowling Club, and the compulsory purchase of new properties which seems cruel for the owners. The hills involved will be difficult to use if we get really bad winter weather!
We have been bombarded with information on the general areas of the hospital etc and the patient rooms but we do not know anything about the clinical side. What departments and services will be provided, this is the most important part of a hospital. Will there be increased facilities provided?
Moving the current clinics etc to the old Les Quennevais School will incur huge cost, disruption in the area and what happens after this is no longer required. The location of the old school is hardly suitable for many, many people who do not have cars so hardly a good location! Millions have already been wasted on the hospital project with nothing to show for it, this is just more!
Will we be able to staff the new hospital with the level of consultants, nurses etc required. Jersey is not a cheap place to live and I believe there are already problems with staffing levels.
We are a small island and I do not feel that we need such a grandiose hospital scheme. We are told it will be state of the art' but it should be practical and suitable for the needs of the people of the island and more importantly for the medical staff. The cost seems completely out of proportion with the size and population of Jersey. The Minister pushing this project does not seem to be prepared to take on board the many concerns of islanders and consider other sites. No planning permission has been obtained but it seems that some changes are already progressing. More money wasted if planning is refused? Is there a hidden agenda?