Regenerating St Helier Hospital

The following two paragraphs from the the most recent Better Health Care Closer to Home press release on their website, put the current process in perspective. In particular the last sentence shows the Secretary of State still wants to see any capital investment aimed at the St Helier site, even if this may well be a more phased approach. No doubt the Acute Trust will try to spin this a different way, but the Secretary of State’s position is clear over where investment should in future go. Local MP's met with the Secretary of State last week to lobby her on the issue.

EXTRACT FROM BHCH PRESS RELEASE

“In view of this report and the financial challenges faced by local PCT's, the Secretary of State has withdrawn her decision of 19 December 2005 to have the critical care hospital located at St Helier site and asked David Nicholson to carry out a review, in consultation with local stakeholders.

“In carrying out the review, the Secretary of State has requested that any proposals are consistent with the aims of the White Paper, “Our health, our care, our say”, in delivering care in the community and closer to people’s homes where clinically appropriate. Particular attention must also be paid to the needs of the most disadvantaged communities, in light of the Government’s determination to tackle inequalities in health and the regenerative impact of major NHS capital developments.”