A PLAN to bring in a external neurology team has been scrapped, with the Health Department instead appointing a consultant on a short-term basis.
Earlier this year, medical director Simon West assured Islanders that the neurology service will be “restored” upon the arrival of an “external clinical team” within “the next few weeks”.
However – following an FoI request made by the JEP – it has now been confirmed that the appointment of an external clinical team never actually materialised.
The team – which were slated to deliver services “for the next six months” – were opted for in lieu of hiring a permanent consultant neurologist.
“This will allow us to review our operational model on the delivery of neurology services in Jersey, and presents us with an opportunity to develop the service that would include working with external partners in the long-term,” Mr West previously explained.
However, information released under the Freedom of Information law revealed that “arrangements” for the external clinical team to join the department remained “still to be finalised” as late as last week.
“In the meantime, a Locum clinician has been engaged for service continuity”, it added.
However, Mr West has since confirmed that plans to bring an external team had been officially shelved.
“A highly experienced locum consultant has been appointed until September 2026 while we continue to actively recruit a permanent consultant,” he said. “The recruitment of a locum neurologist was considered a better option to support the service rather than the previous plan of using an external team.
“However, we remain in contact with the external team to ensure there is a continuity of service when the locum leaves.”
An independent review into the department in February found that the service “could not be maintained in its current structure with a single-handed consultant”.
Despite reverting to the single-handed model – only with a locum instead of a permanent hire – Mr West said that patients will not be negatively affected.
“Patients will continue to receive safe, high-quality care during this period,” he said.
“With high international demand and a relatively small pool of highly specialised clinicians, recruitment processes are taking longer and attracting fewer applicants than in the past.
“We remain fully committed to securing a permanent appointment and ensuring patients have timely access to specialist care.”
