Confusion reigns over current and future leadership of hospital project

Tuesday 23 April 2019

With only a few days before the Chief Minister publishes a report on "a new approach for delivering a hospital for Jersey," it remains unclear who has been advising him, and who will be responsible for the delivery of the project in the future.

The lack of clarity emerged as the Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Kevin Lewis, was quizzed on the Future Hospital project during a recent hearing with the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel.

Deputy Lewis declined to give an update when St. Brélade Constable, Mike Jackson, the Chairman of the Panel, asked him for “the latest on the hospital.” John Rogers, Director General for the Department of Growth, Housing and Environment (GHE), told the Panel the Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, would be making a presentation to States Members after Easter. 

A spokesperson for the Government told Express the Chief Minister’s report will propose a new approach for delivering a hospital for Jersey. “Senator Le Fondré has held a number of discussion sessions with States Members to hear their views, and Members have made it clear that changes are needed in how to approach this development,” the spokesperson said.

Pictured: The Chief Minister will be making an announcement about the future of the hospital after Easter.

However, it transpired during the Scrutiny hearing that Deputy Lewis had not been involved in the drafting of the report, or in any substantial way. When asked if the his department was involved at the moment, his reply was negative. 

“At this current time, everyone has been stood down, so no,” he told the Panel, before repeating that the Chief Minister would be making a statement, “...in the not so distant future."

It also emerged that Deputy Lewis doesn’t know if his department will be responsible for the delivery of the hospital in the future. 

When Deputy Inna Gardiner asked him to confirm there was no other data on who would be responsible for the leadership of the project, he initially said there would be an announcement in the next few weeks.

When pushed further, Deputy Lewis replied: “At the moment it will be my responsibility as it comes under Infrastructure, but it may be decided to run it as a stand-alone project."

Pictured: Deputy Lewis doesn't know if his department will be responsible for the delivery of the future hospital.

St. Saviour’s Constable, Sadie Le Sueur-Rennard, then said the Chief Minister was “obviously doing this on his own, because he’s not involving any of you."

“So, he’s making assumptions of what we need,” she added, to which Deputy Lewis replied: “He will be consulting us in the not too distant future.”

“If he’s going to make an announcement at the end of the month, who is he consulting?” the St. Saviour Constable asked. “Ministers will be consulted in due course,” Deputy Lewis said.

Deputy Lewis then said he had had discussions with the Chief Minister, but that they haven’t gone into the details. 

Later on, following a question from Deputy Kirsten Morel, Deputy Lewis said he expected his department to deliver the hospital - even if a private funding initiative was chosen.

But he added, however, that he was “directed by the States." "I have to do as I am directed,” he said.

The government has refused to confirm to Express the current political leadership of the project or who has been involved in the drafting of the Chief Minister’s report.