FREE dental care for young Islanders and longer-term government support for the voluntary sector are among the policies being suggested by one of the Island’s new political parties.
Jersey Alliance has issued a policy paper on healthcare, the latest in a series of discussion documents preceding the publication of a manifesto in the spring ahead of the general election on 22 June.
The party, which includes a number of senior members of the existing government and recently elected Sir Mark Boleat as its leader, highlights key areas around the theme of ‘affordable first-class healthcare’.
Sir Mark said that there was ‘a wealth of evidence’ that Jersey was a long way from meeting the ‘first-class test’, particularly in respect of mental health, dental care and long-term care.
The paper includes a proposal for the introduction of an insurance-based dental scheme, backed by government, that would provide treatment up to a defined level for routine preventative and restorative treatment.
Although there is no firm commitment about the detail of the scheme, the paper refers to typical insurance schemes providing up to £500 worth of treatment for those aged up to five, and £1,000 for six-to-18-year-olds, with Sir Mark saying the party was committed to the concept.
Several aspects of the Island’s healthcare services are criticised, including the lack of resourcing for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and the operation of the Jersey Care Model.
The paper notes: ‘The Jersey Care Model is not working effectively. Expectations of what staff can do are unrealistic, inspections are poor and inconsistent, community support is not sufficient to allow home provision and GPs are struggling to meet the work that is required.’
Voluntary organisations play a critical role which is acknowledged by the party, along with the financial support provided by government. However, the paper adds that annual funding arrangements ‘simply do not work’ and says medium-term funding commitments must be made to enable organisations to plan.
The party acknowledges the ‘contentious’ context of plans for the Island’s new hospital, pointing out that there is no ideal site for the project, meaning that the ‘least bad’ site needed to be chosen, with Overdale being the choice of the States Assembly.
The paper notes: ‘By the time of the election, several significant decisions will have been taken. The government that will be formed … will have to take the position as it then stands – it will not be possible to reverse some of the decisions that have already been taken.’
