A Review Panel has been formed by Scrutiny to inform and monitor the nature and effectiveness of measures being undertaken by Government to help ensure the consequences of the presence of Coronavirus in/linked to Jersey are appropriately mitigated.
The intention will be to undertake the review in two phases. The first phase will focus on highlighting the Government’s immediate response and preparedness for the Coronavirus. In addition, the Review will continue to collate and relay evidence about the challenges facing the public and organisations (both public and private) in the face of the spread of coronavirus. It will also seek to help inform, as appropriate, the public’s understanding about the measures being taken by the Government.
At the appropriate time, Phase two will turn to examining and evaluating the response undertaken by the Government in order to identify where improvements could be made for any future outbreaks or similar scenarios.
Deputy Kevin Pamplin, who will be chairing the Review Panel, commented:
‘‘We have entered an unprecedented time for the island responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a time for us to all work together for the good of the island.
Scrutiny of such matters is delicate in such difficult circumstances but remains an essential feature of a mature democracy. The process continues in the UK House of Commons, for example, where the Health Select Committee has started a similar review.
Scrutiny has had a very good constructive working relationship with the Minister for Health and Social Services and his Department and we look forward to continuing that constructive working relationship. We would also like to pay tribute at this stage to our dedicated, hardworking members of public & private health, especially those on the front line of health and social care.’’
Scrutiny News Release.