Islanders asked for opinions on regulation of medical services

Thursday, 18 April 2024 15:02

The Jersey Care Commission is asking for feedback from islanders on how they think the hospital, ambulance and government mental health services should be regulated.

The Jersey Care Commission's remit will expand to set standards for these medical bodies and hold them to account, from 2025.

It wants patients in Jersey to share their thoughts on the proposed regulations so islanders' needs are being met.

The draft standards ensure services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

Within these criteria, 35 specific standards have been identified in the commission's Single Assessment Framework.

Jersey Ambulance

The commission's Head of Standards, Valter Fernandes tells us why he's proposed these regulations:

"This is about measuring the quality of care, which is what our islanders deserve - to have services that are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.

"These are widely accepted metrics of care worldwide and are very important to apply to Jersey as well."

Jersey Hospital's emergency department

Valter Fernandes tells us how he wants islanders to get involved:

"We currently have a consultation which is running from 15 April to 31 May and we'd like to invite all islanders (to take part). We want to hear from people and make sure the standards and framework meet the needs of our community.

"We are encouraging everyone to participate. We have consultation tools on our website, which are accessible in English.

"We are also opening two public engagement events - one on 8 May from 11.00 am -12.30 pm at Jersey Library, and also on the 23 May between 5.30 pm - 7.30 pm at St Helier Parish Hall.

"We want to ensure islanders from diverse backgrounds can give their feedback so we'll have Portuguese and Polish translators on site."

Islanders can fill out a feedback form on the proposed standards on the Jersey Care Commission's website.