A PROPOSED new health board has not had “sufficiently rigorous or systemic analysis” to warrant its creation, a Scrutiny panel has said.
Earlier this year, Health Minister Tom Binet lodged a proposition calling for the formation £70,000-a-year Health and Care Partnership Board, which would sit alongside the existing Health and Community Services Advisory Board and will be paid for using funds already set aside for health governance.
However, the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel has questioned the justification for the board and has instead suggested that it run for an initial 18-month trial period.
In an amendment to Deputy Binet’s proposition, the panel said: “The panel believes this amendment offers reassurance to members who may be concerned about costs or the suitability of the proposed structure.
“By adopting a cautious and time-limited approach, the risks are significantly reduced, while ensuring that urgent improvements to the governance and oversight of the Health and Care Department can progress without delay.”
The panel added that it is “not persuaded that sufficiently rigorous or systematic analysis has been undertaken to demonstrate that the creation of the board is the most effective or necessary course of action”.
The 18-month trial period would allow the board to be “tested in practice to determine whether it is genuinely fit for purpose” in a bid to mitigate risks, address potential governance concerns, and prevent unforeseen costs, according to the panel.
The proposition and amendment are both due to be debated at the States Assembly sitting next week.
