A PROPOSITION asking the government to ‘stick to the original plan’ for the new hospital is likely to be brought forward by the politician previously responsible for the scheme.
Deputy Lyndon Farnham said he had spoken to fellow States Members and concluded that ‘the numbers will be very close’ if such a vote was to take place.
He made the comments during the latest episode of Bailiwick Express’s ‘Politics Disassembled’ podcast, while answering questions about the recently published review of the Our Hospital plans.
The review, which was undertaken by expert adviser Alan Moore, recommended abandoning the proposed single-site facility at Overdale in favour of a hybrid model that would include using the existing Gloucester Street site and adjacent land at Kensington Place.
Deputy Farnham, who held political responsibility for the Our Hospital project under the previous government, revealed he was ‘likely’ to bring a proposition to continue with the existing plans, which received planning approval earlier this year.
‘I don’t think the Assembly as a whole is particularly pleased or impressed with the review – simply because it is light on detail and it lacks any sort of evidence to give credibility to its findings,’ he said.
‘I’m trying to understand what the government plans to do. I am minded to bring a proposition that would ask the States Assembly to request the government to stick to the original plan, come back within the parameters of the existing financial agreements by the previous Assembly, [and] come back with some different financing models,’ he added.
He said the situation was not ‘as cut and dried as many might think it would be – and certainly worth fighting for’.
Deputy Farnham continued: ‘At the end of the day, politicians – especially ministers – have to put aside, perhaps, a new-found loyalty to their friends and colleagues in the government and do what is the best thing for Jersey.
That is the argument that I am going to have to make.’
Deputy Farnham recently wrote to Chief Minister Kristina Moore, suggesting that they take part in a live debate about the hospital plans using the government’s studio in the Parade.
In response, Deputy Moore said that the States Assembly provided the ‘appropriate forum’ for political debate – and added that ministers would be taking part in a public question-and-answer session on 15 November which will be available for Islanders to view ‘on a number of public platforms’.
