Work has started to assemble a new hospital project team, as outlined by the Chief Minister in his report to the States Assembly on 3 May, following approval for the process by the States Employment Board today.
Senator John Le Fondré’s report set out the process for establishing the clinical requirements of the new hospital, for shortlisting potential locations and for agreeing a site after public engagement. It explained that funding of £2.6 million would be allocated for the first phase of the project, with a further £4.8 million for the second phase.
Following approval today by the States Employment Board, the process of hiring or seconding key project members and procuring additional technical support can begin.
Funding has not yet been formally allocated, but in an effort to avoid delays the procurement and recruitment processes for the initial professional team will start, with invitations to tender and job adverts.
This new specialist team is needed for the hospital project, since the team running the Future Hospital project was disbanded some months ago.
The team will develop the clinical requirements for the new hospital, in line with the new model of health care being developed by Health and Community Services. It will put together the detailed financial business case, carry out Island-wide engagement on identified site options, and then draw up an outline planning application for the preferred option.
Once in place, the team will start engaging with Islanders on options for the preferred location, with the aim of delivering a new planning application in 2021.
As outlined in the Chief Minister’s report, the new project team will comprise the following specialist functions:
- Project director, manager and administrative support
- Clinical director
- Health planner and clinical design team
- Health model data analysts
- Project accountant and support accountant
- Planning adviser
- Commercial specialist
- Procurement lawyer
- Governance support officer
- Scrutiny and audit lead
- Data manager
- HR officer
- Project management office
- Communications and engagement lead
- Apprentices
The new hospital project champion, Assistant Minister Deputy Hugh Raymond, said: “We need to make rapid progress on this project, which is so important for the long-term health of our community. If we are to meet the challenging timetable we have set ourselves, we need to start the recruitment and procurement processes now, although we won’t make any appointments until we have the funding approved.
“Wherever possible, we will second existing employees to these roles, although we will need to bring in specialists from outside, in which case we will prioritise Islanders and local companies. If we can’t find the people in Jersey with the necessary experience, we will then look further afield. It’s important that we get flexibility and the best value for money, so we will use a number of fixed-term contracts to avoid a permanent increase in staffing.
“If politicians, officers and Islanders all get behind the work that’s due to start, we can develop the outline business case early next year and prepare a draft planning application for Jersey’s new hospital by early 2021.”
Government of Jersey Press Release.