Select a region
A review of the island's neurology department, which was due to take place this year, will now commence in 2025 following delays from the external reviewers involved.
In July, it was confirmed that a Royal College of Physicians review of Jersey's neurology department was expected in quarter three or four of 2024 amid “ongoing issues and concerns” within the service.
But in a public letter to the Health Scrutiny Panel chair, the Health Minister confirmed that "the Royal College of Physicians is anticipated to undertake a review of Neurology Services in 2025".
Following queries from Express, Deputy Binet explained: “In October, the Royal College of Physicians wrote to Health and Community Services to explain that the soonest that they would have a team available to undertake a review into the Neurology Department would be February 2025.”
Pictured: Neurology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of disorders of the nervous system, including the brain.
Proposals to develop neurology and neurosciences in Jersey were first outlined in a Medicine Improvement Plan established in November 2023.
One of the plan's recommendations was to "review neurology and neurosciences with the aim of improving the provision of medical expertise in this specialty, in particular the inpatient provision".
This was prompted by a "serious incident".
An update on the progress of the Medicine Improvement Plan was presented to the Health Advisory Board earlier this year.
It said: "The upcoming review has been discussed with the neurology service on 3 June 2024.
"Following publication of report, to review the recommendations and develop an action plan for improvements.
"This recommendation has been confirmed to remain red due to ongoing issues and concerns within the service."
Pictured: Proposals to develop neurology and neurosciences in Jersey were outlined in a Medicine Improvement Plan established in November 2023.
A collation of neurology medical notes are to be sent to the Royal College of Physicians prior to the review, according to the report.
The terms of reference for the neurology review were agreed in April – but will not be published ahead of the review itself as “they can be subject to change”, the Government told Express.
It comes after recent Royal College of Physicians reviews of rheumatology and radiology revealed serious concerns within both departments.
In his recent letter, the Health Minister also did not rule out reviews of other departments within the health service.
Health Scrutiny Panel chair Deputy Louise Doublet asked: "Are you anticipating any further departmental reviews, GIRFT reviews, or similar to the maternity, rheumatology, and radiology reports, which may entail the need for additional funding and resources for specific areas within health?"
Pictured: Chief Officer of Health, Chris Bown, with the Royal College of Physicians' review of Jersey's rheumatology department.
In response, Deputy Binet said: "Regular service audits and peer reviews are part of good governance in health and care services and contribute to the continuous improvement of services.
"Best practice in healthcare is continuously evolving through research, new technologies and treatments and clinical knowledge and experience.
"Whilst standards can be captured in documents, practical reviews from clinical peers who can provide feedback based on their wide range of expertise, is an effective way of review and audit.
"HCS clinicians also benefit from the personal interaction and discussions with experts from the UK."
He added: "HCS is committed to continuous learning from peer and specialist reviews, and which will be requested in liaison with clinical care groups and the Medical Director."
Terms of neurology review will not yet be made public
Neurology next for independent review amid “ongoing issues and concerns”
Tip of the iceberg? “Other issues” in radiology under scrutiny after breast screening shock
Health "has been in contact with police" over number of rheumatology deaths
INSIGHT: How "aggression" and "gatekeeping" destroyed radiology diagnosis opportunities
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.