DIFFICULTIES in recruiting new consultants have been exacerbated by media reporting around problems in the Neurology Department, the Health Minister has claimed.
During question time in the States Assembly, Senator Tom Binet referred to feedback from the Royal College of Physicians about the “adverse effect” of media coverage of the challenges experienced around neurology by the Health Department.
“I put it out there as a message for the media to take heed of,” he said. “Sometimes exposing things that we are trying to deal with as comprehensively as we can doesn’t always have the desired effect and it can make matters worse.”
Former Health Minister Karen Wilson challenged her successor, saying “I hardly think the media are going to prevent people coming here [for work]”.
A recent written question showed that on 30 October a total of 1,197 Islanders were waiting for a first appointment, including 42 cases classified as “urgent” and 225 who should be seen “soon”.
It was also revealed that 2,617 patients were awaiting follow-up appointments, with around 300 of these people expected to be seen during the next three months.
Senator Binet said efforts were ongoing to recruit two full-time neurologists, as well as support staff, but he added there was an acute shortage in this specialism which Jersey was not immune to.
The Health Minister said he wished to apologise to those affected by the staffing shortages and resulting waits.
“This is of great concern to me and to the senior officials in Health,” he said, revealing that a meeting had been convened the previous day at which the situation was discussed as the lone agenda item.
Deputy Lucy Stephenson said that she was aware of a patient in her district who was potential enduring financial hardship as well as physical difficulties because of an adverse impact on their benefits as a result of the long waiting times. Senator Binet said he had regular constructive conversations with Social Security Minister Elaine Millar.
