A LAST minute ministerial U-turn appears to have paved the way for the reopening of a rehabilitation ward at Overdale Hospital.
The Council of Ministers met last night and agreed to withdraw an amendment which could have blocked plans to reopen the 28-bed Samarès Ward. It followed the transfer of services to a 14-bed General Hospital unit in 2020. Many critics have labelled the current offering as inadequate.
A proposition which would allow the unit to reopen, lodged by Senator Steve Pallett, is still due to be debated by the States this week. However, with no apparent ministerial objection it is expected to be passed.
In an email written by Deputy Renouf to all States Members on Tuesday night, it said: ‘With apologies for emailing late. A meeting of COM has only recently ended. I wish to inform you that [Council of Ministers] has agreed to withdraw the amendment I have lodged to P.115.
‘After long discussion and having carefully considered again the wording of the main proposition, we now believe that we can accept the request as it is worded and work to achieve the outcomes we all wish.’
