Last week the government released its ethical framework, which will include a Central Triage Committee to assess Covid-19 patients based on a set of criteria, and aims to make sure those who are most likely to benefit from critical care interventions do so.
The blueprint outlines how intensive-care clinicians will decide which patients receive potentially life-saving treatment if facilities in Jersey become too strained during the Covid-19 pandemic.
That has caused some anxiety among Jersey’s older community and prompted one Islander to write to ministers, saying the announcement had left people ‘fearing for their lives.’
And in one response seen by the JEP, Assistant Health Minister Steve Pallett criticised the government’s announcement, believing it was premature and had only caused upset and potential harm to people’s mental health.
He said: ‘The media statement released a couple of days ago regarding an “ethical framework” to provide doctors with a basis for deciding who does and doesn’t get treatment should our intensive care unit be overwhelmed by coronavirus cases, certainly does not give our elderly citizens any sense of comfort during these difficult times.
‘Personally, I don’t believe we needed to announce this framework yet and potentially frighten many of our vulnerable citizens.
‘There may be a time when tough decisions need to be made but good communication is key and I found how this media release was delivered with a lack of feeling and compassion and understanding of the difficult times our vulnerable are going through.
‘It was also delivered without any thought of the risk of upset and potential harm to the mental health of vulnerable Islanders.’
The letter to ministers and other politicians also called for a ministerial post for older people to be created in the future, similar to the Children’s Minister role currently held by Senator Sam Mézec.
Senator Sarah Ferguson backed the idea, with Senator Pallett stating it would be better for an assistant minister to have responsibility for the sector, rather than a new ministerial department.
He added: ‘The problem with creating a minister for one part of the population is that it looks like you are ignoring other parts and that was never the intention.
‘Ensuring children do have the best start in life is vital but that must not come at the cost of letting down our elderly.
‘Senator Ferguson is right that she and others have the best interests of the elderly very much in their sights, and these politicians will ensure you and others in your age group get a fair deal.
‘I don’t believe a new ministry is necessary but having a current minister or assistant minister with a focus on the elderly certainly would address some of the concerns you have.’
