AROUND 800 workers are expected to be involved during the peak period of the project to build the Island’s new hospital, the Health Minister has confirmed.
Senator Tom Binet, who signed the contract for the development at Overdale at the start of June, gave more details about the workforce, and accommodation arrangements, during question time in the States Assembly.
Responding to a query from Deputy Hilary Jeune, Senator Binet said that the government had responsibility for the accommodation of workers.
The project was likely to build to a peak in the summer of 2028, he said, with projections indicating that at this point there would be a workforce of employees and sub-contractors totalling 800. This number would be split between on-Island workers and those coming here to work, he added.
Over the lifetime of the project, Senator Binet said it was expected that about 450 construction workers would commute to Jersey weekly, while another 150 people would move to the Island temporarily.
Asked by Deputy Jeune where workers not based in Jersey would be housed, the minister initially said this would be a case of “just about anywhere we can find”.
Expanding on his initial answer, Senator Binet said that there was some Health Department facilities that were expected to be available, as well as discussions with Andium. However, he stressed that Andium properties would only be utilised if they were not required by Islanders.
Deputy Lyndsay Feltham said she was struggling to see a solution to the question of housing, especially given the existing challenges experienced in other sectors, notably hospitality.
Senator Binet said that he did not currently anticipate any new accommodation having to be built, although he said some of the details had yet to be finalised. He offered to arrange briefings for Members who wanted to know more.
Following a later question, it was also confirmed that the ministerial group for the new hospital would hold its first meeting this week since the election in June.
The Health Minister confirmed that he would be joined by the Chief Minister, Treasury Minister and the Infrastructure Minister in this group. He rebutted criticism from Deputy Feltham about the length of time taken to convene a meeting, stating that there had been regular meetings with other groups, including the three independent advisors to the project: former senior civil servant John Rogers, patient advocate Michelle Ryan and retired GP Dr Nigel Minihane.
Deputy Feltham also asked Treasury Minister Alan Maclean about financial risks associated with the project. Senator Maclean said there was a figure of £40 million allowed for contingencies as part of the £710m project. The biggest risk, he said, was geopolitical conflicts affecting the global economy.
“It’s the largest project this Island has undertaken, and it has my full attention,” he said. “Ensuing we get value for money and delivery on-time and on-budget is absolutely front and centre of our considerations.”
