POLICY is “under development” to address Jersey’s falling birth rate, the Chief Minister has said after new figures revealed births last year were at their lowest since records began. Deputy Lyndon Farnham sought to reassure politicians that the issue was a “high priority” for his government in the Assembly on Tuesday. There were 720 births […]
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“Everyone can feel the energy in the room and it’s a positive one”
THE States Chamber was filled with “fantastic” women yesterday to mark International Women’s Day at the inaugural event of the newly established Women’s Parliamentary Caucus. In attendance were current and past female politicians from the Island and beyond, alongside women considering standing in the upcoming election. Interim chair of the Caucus Deputy Lucy Stephenson said […]
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Jersey home birthing service to remain suspended
THE Health Department has been accused of failing to show a commitment to “person-centred care” for women and babies after it was confirmed that the Island’s home birth service would remain suspended after already being unavailable for more than a year. Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell said, during States question time, that Jersey was looking […]
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Plans for boost to Government’s ‘rainy day’ fund scrapped but covid debt paid off
THE ISLAND’S emergency reserves will not be getting a funding boost, it has emerged, due to limited funds and government debt. In a Scrutiny hearing on Friday, Minister of Treasury and Resources Deputy Elaine Millar explained that previous plans for the transfer of £25 million from central coffers to the Island’s Stabilisation Fund – one […]
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Big screen for Euros
FOOTBALL supporters will be able to watch the latter stages of the Euro 2024 tournament on a big screen in St Helier. Plans are being drawn up, with the details and location yet to be finalised, according to Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham. Deputy Farnham was responding to a question in the States Assembly from Deputy […]
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Ministers considering options to ensure “fit for purpose” complaints mechanism
THE Council of Ministers is considering whether to strengthen the existing system for handling complaints about public services – or to create an ombudsperson – with a cost analysis of the two options currently underway. Lyndon Farnham provided the update during a hearing of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Panel. Debate over the creation of a […]
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New endometriosis clinic to streamline services in ‘vital step forward’
A DEDICATED endometriosis clinic will streamline referrals for the debilitating condition and boost links with a specialist centre in the UK, according to an assistant health minister. Deputy Andy Howell confirmed that three new gynaecological consultants had recently been recruited who would help support the service. But Deputy Howell said she did not believe the […]
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Minister faces questions over “special attention” move for Jersey Airport
A SENIOR minister faced a series of awkward questions about Jersey Airport from backbench politicians in the States Assembly yesterday. The grilling of External Relations Minister Ian Gorst followed the revelation that the airport had been placed under “special attention” by the director of civil aviation as a result of concerns over a restructuring process. […]
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Fury as IVF funding diverted to offset “wider pressures” in Health
NEARLY half of the £620,000 government budget set aside for fertility treatment last year is set to be redirected to “offset wider pressures” within the Health Department. Deputy Lucy Stephenson said she was “really disappointed” and “annoyed” to learn that around £280,000 of the funding had been quietly reallocated – with details “buried in a […]
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Deal with UK clinics to allow for about 90 funded IVF cycles a year
A DEAL has been negotiated with two UK-based fertility clinics to offer “lower rates” for around 90 government-funded cycles of in vitro fertilisation per year. Deputy Lucy Stephenson – who last year lodged a successful proposition to improve fertility funding in the Island – recently asked the Health Minister to provide an update on the […]
