I am generally pleased with the commitments made, although I would have preferred that the rehabilitation services currently being provided on Plemont Ward were not returning thereafter Samares Ward finally closes later this year, but that the solution offered is the most pragmatic way forward.
With the right input and oversight, there is an opportunity to vastly improve on what is currently being offered on Plemont Ward, which many believe was not acceptable and the cause of much upset and distress to many patients.
My proposition P.115, which was unanimously approved by States Members on the 19th January has forced the Minister into a £2 million investment into rehabilitation services and a return to Samares Ward at least in the short term. There is a commitment to redesigning and refurbishing Plemont Ward by the end of the year, along with improvements to physio and occupational therapy services provided in the community once discharged.
The Minister has also given me a verbal commitment that service users and their families along with third sector partners such as the Stroke Association will be part of the redesign process and that I will also be allowed to contribute in the short term before the election.
I am also aware that extensive rehabilitation services will be part of the new hospital, as has been stated by Senator Farnham, and it’s important that those involved in redesigning Plemont Ward are also involved with the design of rehabilitation services in the new hospital.
We must accept that it’s vital that services such the Assisted Reproduction Unit currently located on Samares Ward are not impacted as part of the delivery of P. 115, so this will inevitably lead to a short delay in rehab returning to Samares Ward. Moving forward it’s important that the new States Assembly monitors progress to ensure that the health team deliver on P.115, and that islanders are provided with the best possible rehabilitation services if they are unfortunate to suffer a stroke or serious injury.
I want to thank the Connetable of St John for his support through this process, as well as all those who have provided their own stories or experiences as a way of highlighting the concerns that so many islanders have over the current service on offer since Samares Ward was closed.
It has taken a lot of effort to get the Minister and his senior management team to listen and they need to start immediately rebuilding trust with the public in this and many other areas of health service provisions.
Steve Pallett
The Progress Party