The Island’s only dedicated neurology charity says it is “disappointed and concerned” to learn the Health Department has rowed back on its previously announced strategy to bring an external clinical team to Jersey to deliver the service.
Earlier this year, medical director Simon West told Islanders that an external team had been appointed to oversee the neurology department “for the next six months”. He said the decision to hire externally followed a failed recruitment drive for a permanent consultant due to a “shortage of neurologists globally.”
However – following an FoI request made by the JEP – Mr West last week confirmed that plans to bring in an external team had been officially shelved.
“A highly experienced locum consultant has been appointed until September 2026 while we continue to recruit a permanent consultant.
“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”, he explained.
A spokesperson for Health later told the JEP that “no contract was agreed with the external team”, while noting that “comparatively the cost of the locum is cheaper than the appointment of an external team”.
Reacting to the U-turn, Sophie Reid – speaking on behalf of the Sophie Reid Neurological Association – said the charity is “disappointed and concerned to learn of the apparent change in plans regarding neurological provision in Jersey”.
She added: “We had previously understood, as had the wider public through media communications, that an external clinical team would be introduced due to the ongoing difficulties in recruiting a permanent neurologist.
“It is therefore concerning to learn through the recent Freedom of Information response that this may no longer be the planned approach and that local cover arrangements may be relied upon until September 2026.”
Ms Reid noted that “complex and long-term” neurological conditions require “ongoing specialist oversight, coordinated management and strong clinical accountability”.
“When continuity is disrupted, there is an increased risk that individuals can experience delays in care, uncertainty regarding responsibility, and potentially fall through gaps in the system,” she said.
Of particular concern to the charity leader are the immediate future of specialist services such as EMG studies and Botox provision.
“Our understanding is that some of these areas currently rely on clinics being delivered by a retired neurologist, and we would welcome clarity regarding the sustainability of these arrangements”, she stated.
In a statemen, a Health Department spokesperson sought to reassure Islanders that continuity of care across the Neurology Department would remain unaffected.
“The locum appointment provided the service with immediate, consistent and sustained clinical weekday cover”, they said.
“In the immediate term, the priority will be to maintain service continuity and ensure any gaps are covered. Longer term, it is recognised that this may remain a difficult post to substantively recruit to.
“We continue to consider engaging an external team to run the service in the future. Health and Care Jersey is also investigating the possibility of partnership working with a specialist tertiary centre.”
In turn, Ms Reid said her association was sympathetic to the “significant challenges involved in recruiting into specialist posts, particularly in a small island setting”.
“Our intention is not to criticise efforts being made, but to advocate for patients and families living with neurological conditions across Jersey,” she said.
“We believe patients deserve reassurance that their care will remain safe, consistent, and responsive during this period of uncertainty.”
