Health Insurance and Income Support (Influenza) (Jersey) Regulations

Information about the publication of Ministerial Decisions

A formal published “Ministerial Decision” is required as a record of the decision of a Minister (or an Assistant Minister where they have delegated authority) as they exercise their responsibilities and powers.

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demonstrating that good governance, and clear lines of accountability and authority, are in place around decisions-making – including the reasons and basis on which a decision is made, and the action required to implement a decision
providing a record of decisions and actions that will be available for examination by States Members, and Panels and Committees of the States Assembly; the public, organisations, and the media; and as a historical record and point of reference for the conduct of public affairs

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A decision made (12.05.2009) to approve and lodge the Health Insurance and Income Support (Influenza) (Jersey) Regulations

Decision Reference: MD-S-2009-0023
Decision Summary Title :	DS – Health Insurance and Income Support (Influenza)(Jersey) Regulations		Date of Decision Summary:	11 May 2009
Decision Summary Author:	Sue Duhamel Policy and Strategy Director		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Health Insurance and Income Support (Influenza)(Jersey) Regulations		Date of Written Report:	11 May 2009
Written Report Author:	Sue Duhamel Policy and Strategy Director		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Health Insurance and Income Support (Influenza)(Jersey) Regulations
Decision(s): The Minister approved the Regulations and accompanying report. The Minister decided to lodge the Health Insurance and Income Support (Influenza) (Jersey) Regulations to provide additional rates of medical benefit in respect of home visits undertaken by GPs as part of a co-ordinated strategy to contain and manage a possible widespread infection within the Island by Influenza A (H1N1 or H5N1 or variants thereof). The Minister decided to seek the approval of the States Assembly to debate this proposition under Standing order 26(7) on 19 May 2009. The Minister decided that, having taken advice from the Medical Officer of Health, that the containment phase will start on the day that the Regulations are lodged au Greffe. The Minister noted that the guidelines issued by the Medical Officer of Health on 30 April 2009 set out the criteria for providing medical services during the containment phase.
Reason(s) for Decision: The threat of a global flu pandemic requires measures to be put in place to ensure that GP services are used appropriately in the period leading up to and during a pandemic. The Regulations provide for higher levels of medical benefit to be paid to ensure that individuals are able to follow important health advice without incurring additional cost. The Regulations also provide a mechanism to make benefit payments in respect of residents who are not covered by the Health Insurance Law.
Resource Implications: There are no manpower implications. The additional cost to the Health Insurance Fund is estimated at £477,000 with an additional cost to the Income Support budget of £5,000. These estimates are subject to a wide variation.
Action required: To lodge the Regulations through the Greffe for debate on 19 May 2009.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):