Extension of consultants contract (FOI)

Request

In January 2020 the Bailiwick Express commented on the contract with one of Jersey's most expensive external consultants: Turning to [name redacted] current supplier contract, which is worth between £150,000 and £174,999, the spokesperson added that the government did not expect [name redacted] services to be necessary for much longer.

“The consultant is currently assisting with some specific support within two significantly challenging high-risk areas (Women and Children’s and Mental Health Services).

Current services of the consultant are due to cease at the end of Quarter one (March 2020) and it is not anticipated that further work or requirement of the consultants’ services will be required moving forward as a result of implementation of the Health and Community Services target operating model and final appointments to vacancies.”

My question is:

Has the contract with [name redacted] been extended beyond the end of Quarter one of 2020? if so please provide the value, duration and scope of the contract(s) or any other arrangement with this individual.

Response

We have retained the support of [name redacted] to support the department with operational challenges that were paused because of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and early 2021.

This is ongoing work in relation to COVID recovery work and the continued involvement within obstetrics and gynaecology teams as well as support to dermatology and mental health services.

This technical support is being provided to support demand and capacity alignment on an as and when basis.

In-line with all off-island contractors, we utilised reduced sessions throughout the pandemic.

Payments made since 30 April 2020 total £80,134.