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The 'interim' boss brought in to steady the ship at Health in the wake of a damning report alleging a 'Jersey Way' in the department has had his contract extended until 2025.
But there is still no replacement for the author of that report – who was then controversially appointed to oversee the service as Health Advisory Board Chair – after he left at the end of December.
After authoring the £85,000 report that exposed major shortcomings in the Health Department in 2022, Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor was controversially brought on board for a fixed-term period of a year to chair the Advisory Board that he had recommended creating.
The oversight position was remunerated at a rate of £225,000 for around three days a week. While a permanent replacement was due to be found, that contract was extended from November 2023 to 31 December 2023 – prompting frustrations at the top levels of Government, which partially fuelled the departure of Assistant Chief Minister Andy Jehan, who claimed that another excellent candidate had been sidelined.
It was also referenced by former Infrastructure Minister Tom Binet in a report explaining why he was bringing a vote of no confidence in Kristina Moore.
During his tenure, Prof Mascie-Taylor disbanded the previous Health Board and created a new board to oversee the department, with a stated focus on culture, value, and behaviours of colleagues and patients.
According to the department, work continues to find a successor - and it has two weeks before the next board meeting is scheduled.
Health Minister Karen Wilson thanked him for his work and said: “Throughout his tenure, Professor Mascie-Taylor has worked tirelessly to ensure there are clear expectations about HCS.
"We thank him for his time and hard work and the specific expertise he brought to the department.
"The Board will now ensure the key structures, processes and cultures continue to be developed and put in place."
While he had initially been appointed to lead a 'Change Team' to drive improvements in Health following Prof Mascie-Taylor's critical review, Chris Bown took over from the Health Department's leader, Caroline Landon, following her shock decision to step down on 31 March alongside Chief Nurse Rose Naylor.
He was appointed as Executive Chief Officer of the Department on 1 April 2023, initially for a one-year contract.
However, Government officials said today that this had been extended in order to bring stability to the department.
Health Minister Karen Wilson said: “I am delighted Chris Bown will continue in the role until April 2025.
"He has provided stability to the Health and Community Services department and will continue to deliver the provision of high quality, safe, patient-centred care to Islanders.”
How much Mr Bown is paid is not public, though his predecessor's annual remuneration package sat around £200,000.
Express previously spoke with him about the challenges facing Health – listen below or wherever you get your podcasts...
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