Jersey's Health Minister says he had 'precious little alternative' but to encourage hospital consultants to take on more private work.
The decision has prompted a backlash from patients waiting for operations.
Deputy Tom Binet has made a statement in response to the outrage at the perception that non-private patients are being pushed down the hospital waiting list.
He insists public patients remain the 'core focus' and that waiting lists are reviewed regularly.
However, private treatment generates essential revenue, and the minister say he had to take temporary action to stay within budget - stressing that it was not something that was initiated by the consultants themselves.
"Given that private treatment in our hospital generates essential funding which contributes to the overall health budget , this short-term decision was taken to ensure that, by the year end, the health budget did not exceed the additional £12m, already kindly agreed by the treasury.
"It is important to note that, to have not done so would have breached the public finances law and taken us outside the requirements of the Financial Recovery Plan."
Acknowledging the 'good deal of public concern', he says the health department will revert to the previous ratio of public to private treatment 'at the earliest opportunity'.
"Furthermore, whilst the new budget will provide for little more than a break-even situation next year (save for the new, ringfenced, investment in digital and prevention), islanders can be reassured that, through our medical consultants and the wider health team, we will be taking additional measures to provide as much publicly funded care as we possibly can, in order to reduce waiting lists during 2026. "
The Minister says he will be 'open will the public' and provide quarterly updates.
"In closing, I reiterate that the initial change was temporary, and importantly, was not driven by our first class medical consultants, who consistently provide as much publicly funded care as finances permit. "
Additionally, the department has moved to clarify that income generated from private patients is reinvested in health services for the benefit of everyone and that, if consultants take on private work, their public hours and salary reduce proportionally.
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