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The "Our Hospital" project is in danger of becoming a very expensive millstone which we are going to hang round the necks of children and grandchildren. How can an island justify the projected costs involved which no doubt will rise substantially. This island will become a laughing stock with a billion dollar hospital which will still be incredibly difficult to staff and fund. We do not need a World Class hospital, just a good hospital fit for purpose for many years to come.
I would have liked to have seen a proper cost comparison between building at Overdale and building on a less problematic site elsewhere such as Warwick Farm. The building the States voted on (but not debated) was nothing like what we have before us now. The site has generated many extra costs which seem to be slowly being drip fed to us.
The amount of properties or land that have had to be bought has risen substantially from the 3 originally quoted and seems to still be rising. What cost moving the Crematorium? There are still rumours about the Memorial Gardens being moved. Are the States paying for the Waterworks to move and rebuild as rumoured? How much will it cost to find the Bowling Club an appropriate new home, it seems to have already become a difficult task. The land by Val Andre given to the Parish of St Helier in exchange for the new JEC substation at Westmount is now needed and what about the junction with Queens Road, it is incredibly narrow, are they intending to buy out Pet Cabin and other properties there? Will that suddenly become another unforeseen expense. I still think we will be hit with many extra costs that will be sprung on us further down the line.
The major cost that sets this site apart from others is access. The rebuilding of Westmount Road will no doubt end up costing far more than the predictions. The hillside has always been unstable and the site of landslides before so who in their right minds would consider building a new super highway up it. There are likely to be substantial extra costs. We have no idea yet how much it will cost to buy or exchange land that is needed for the super highway with St Helier. Will businesses like Le Marquands have to be brought out as the new road layout will have significant impact on their business.
There are still far too many questions about costs that have not been answered. There has been a lack of transparency from the start and those that question are accused of delaying the project or adding to the costs. We supposedly live in a democracy where it is our right to question and our expectation to receive answers. Our Hospital is going to financially effect the generations to come and it is our duty on their behalf to take time to question and scrutinise the whole project. Hopefully the States Members will this time do the job they were elected to do and debate and challenge effectively the whole Our Hospital Project, the funding and the costs it will incur for us and future generations.
Pippa Dale