DOUBT has been cast on Jersey’s ability to recruit qualified and experienced leaders in its health service after the chair of an advisory board left after five weeks in the job.
It was announced by Health Minister Tom Binet on Wednesday that Tom Hayhoe, who had been appointed to the Health and Community Services Advisory Board at the end of February and chaired one board meeting since then, was leaving his position “by mutual consent” – and with immediate effect.
“Differences in working styles” were cited as the reason for the departure, which Deputy Binet said had been “amicable”.
Asked about the timeline for recruiting a new chair, Deputy Binet said: “I think we’re going to take a little bit of time. There is no absolute rush.”
Former Chief Minister Kristina Moore, who was ousted by Deputy Binet in a no-confidence vote, was in position during the early stages of recruitment that ultimately picked Mr Hayhoe.
She expressed her concern around finding a replacement for him.
She said: “The last time, we were told it was going to be difficult.
“Given the circumstances and what has been said, it is going to be a challenge to find an appropriately qualified and experienced person.”
Deputy Moore added: “I think some serious questions have to be asked to provide the public with greater insight as to why this has occurred and how much it will cost to go out to find a replacement for the chair role. It’s an expensive process.”
Deputy Louise Doublet, who chairs the Health and Social Security Panel, said that she would seeking more information around Mr Hayhoe’s departure.
Retired gastroenterologist Dr David Ng compared Mr Hayhoe’s departure to that of former government chief executive Suzanne Wylie.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he said the Island had lost “experienced and well-respected people”, raising concerns that Jersey’s reputation could suffer.
Dr Ng warned: “Politicians should take a step back from it because they don’t know how to manage healthcare and the Advisory Board will also be advising the Health Minister.
“We know what happens when politicians get involved. Look across the water: the NHS, how broken it is because the politicians have used it as a political football.
“We don’t want that to happen in Jersey.”
Speaking to the JEP, Mr Hayhoe said that he was “disappointed not to be able to continue the work that I had started with the team at HCS, looking to improve the culture, raise staff morale and address the very big concerns around patient safety and the care that is delivered on the Island”.
He said: “I am worried about the level of staff morale in the organisation and I am also concerned about the need to recover confidence in the medical services on the Island and consistently delivering safe, quality care.”
Mr Hayhoe added that he appreciated the welcome he was given, within the department and in the Island more widely.
