Select a region
States Members have unanimously approved a bid to restore a bespoke rehabilitation unit at Samarès Ward or another location - but the politician behind the motion has voiced concerns that Ministers may go against the “spirit” of the proposal by keeping services where they are.
At the end of today's debate, Senator Steve Pallett expressed fears that ministers had found “wiggle room” in his wording to let services remain at the General Hospital’s Plémont Ward, which have been heavily criticised by some patients.
Senator Pallett’s proposal – that all stroke and rehabilitation services that were delivered at Overdale’s Samarès Ward until May 2020 will be restored there, or another site, by the beginning of March – received the full support of the Assembly after a last-minute Council of Ministers’ U-turn.
Last week, Health Minister Richard Renouf had lodged an amendment to the plan, giving no commitment to replicate services at Samarès, but this was withdrawn after a late-night meeting of ministers on the eve of the debate.
Ministers then sent States Members an email saying they could support the proposal “having carefully considered again the wording”.
During the debate, Deputy Renouf said: “Senator Pallett’s proposition requests me to reinstate services, and while they have never stopped, I can commit to developing rehabilitation services that we had even further: that we will advance good care in all healthcare settings.
“We are going to advance rather than look backwards and we recognise that medical practice is constantly changing, so there will be no one model that will fix on for years and years to come. We will develop services continually in line with the best advice.”
Pictured: Rehabilitation services were based at Overdale's Samarès Ward from 2004 until 2020.
The Deputy also invited Senator Pallett to meet the rehabilitation team and the group overseeing an ‘improvement plan’ for the service.
He added: “Senator Pallett’s proposition asks me to deliver either at Samarès Ward or at another suitable location, as determined by me, and I will make that determination. I commit to continuing to look at all options, and I acknowledge the intensity of people’s feelings towards the former Samarès Ward.
“I will look at all options and be taking the advice of the Medical Director and the Chief Nurse, who are responsible for patient safety and the quality of care.”
In response, summing up at the end of the debate, Senator Pallett said: “I am beginning to read between the lines from what I am hearing from the Health Minister and the Chief Minister that they think there is wiggle room within the wording to maybe not do what I think the will of the States is, which is to reinstate the ward at Samarès.
“I am beginning to be fearful – and I’ve heard the words that ‘decisions will be made by clinicians’ and ‘they should not be in the political domain’ – that irrespective of how we vote, the minister is not going to approve a return to Samarès.
“I really hope that is not the case. There is only six weeks to 1 March so we’ll know pretty quickly if there is any intention to go back, and I think it will be a pretty poor show if we vote for this proposition and we find out in six weeks’ time that the minister’s idea of a suitable location is Plémont Ward, when the evidence and patient stories suggest differently."
Pictured: "I will look at all options and be taking the advice of the Medical Director and the Chief Nurse, who are responsible for patient safety and the quality of care," said the Health Minister.
He continued: “I will be keeping a very close eye on what goes on in the next few weeks to ensure that the terms of this proposition are kept to.”
Speaking after the debate, he added: “Despite my concerns, I am hopeful that the clear message has got through to ministers, and services will return to Samarès. If that is not their first priority, it would show a complete lack of integrity, which is clearly important in the run-up to an election.”
Also commenting after the debate, St. John Constable Andy Jéhan, who had strongly supported Senator Pallett’s proposal, called it a “hollow victory” because he feared Ministers had no intention of moving rehabilitation services from their current location at Plémont Ward.
“The key problem with Plémont is a patient’s inability to get proper rest there,” he said. “The essential thing after a stroke is rest and privacy, which is impossible on a 14-bed ward with only five to six bays.”
Well today feels like a very hollow victory in @StatesAssembly My thanks for all the help and support from so many people especially @pallett_steve I promised this wonderful lady I would do my best, just sorry it wasn’t good enough. #WontGiveUp pic.twitter.com/zF9MhJGK5e
— Andy Jehan ???????? (@AndyJehan) January 19, 2022
In a debate full of emotional case studies, strong criticisms of the Health Minister and Hospital management, and insights into the strains on staff caused by the pandemic, ministers acknowledged that the level of care currently provided at Plémont Ward had not been what it should have been.
Both Deputy Renouf and Chief Minister John Le Fondré apologised to patients and their relatives who felt that their level of care and support had been inadequate. However, they maintained that improvements were being made.
The Health Minister also emphasised the disruption that the pandemic had caused and the profound impact it had had on staff.
Rehabilitation services were moved from Samarès - which had 23 beds all in private rooms, a spacious gym and a self-contained flat to practice independent living – to the General Hospital in response to covid-19. It was then decided to make the move ‘permanent’ until the new hospital opens, scheduled for 2026.
The debate also heard from Senator Lyndon Farnham, who is leading the Our Hospital project, who confirmed that the new main building would have a bespoke rehabilitation ward.
It would have more beds than Samarès, he said, as well as a purpose-built gym next door, day rooms, and a “dedicated space for early mobilisation.”
Senator Pallett was the subject of Express's first 'Politics Disassembled' podcast. Here, he talks about why the Samarès Ward issue cuts to the heart of problems with the health service and Jersey Care Model, and how he'll be continuing to hold the Health Minister's feet to the fire...
Senior medic speaks out over hospital staffing crisis
Gov makes last-ditch attempt to win rehabilitation vote
OPEN LETTER: "Moving rehab services back to Overdale would be a mistake"
Stroke survivors and families make plea for Samarès Ward reopening
Government fights bid to reopen rehabilitation ward at Overdale
READER LETTER: Do not have a stroke in Jersey
Constable: Patients and hospital staff "let down" by leaders
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.