Approval of delegation of political responsibilities and accountabilities to the Assistant Ministers for Health and Social Services.

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A decision made (08/06/2009) regarding: Approval of delegation of political responsibilities and accountabilities to the Assistant Ministers for Health and Social Services.

Decision Reference: MD-HSS-2009-0032
Decision Summary Title :	Responsibilities of Assistant Ministers		Date of Decision Summary:	22 May 2009
Decision Summary Author:	Chief Executive, HSSD		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 :	Responsibilities of Assistant Ministers		Date of Written Report:	May 2009
Written Report Author:	Chief Executive, HSSD		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Description of the political responsibilities and accountabilities to be delegated to the two Assistant Ministers for Health and Social Services.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the delegation of political responsibilities and accountabilities to the Assistant Ministers for Health and Social Services.
Reason(s) for Decision: The Chief Minister agreed that the Minister for Health and Social Services be supported by two Assistant Ministers, as detailed in the written report of May 2009.
Resource Implications: None.
Action required: This Ministerial Decision to be presented to the States Greffe to apprise them of the functions delegated. A further Ministerial Decision will be prepared at a later date when delegated functions are more specifically defined.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Health and Social Services
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Approval of delegation of political responsibilities and accountabilities to the Assistant Ministers for Health and Social Services.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

RESPONSIBILITIES OF ASSISTANT MINISTERS

In recognition of both the size and complexity of the Health and Social Services Department, and because of the challenging strategic agenda which it must deliver, the Chief Minister has agreed that the Minister for Health and Social Services be supported by two Assistant Ministers.

The context for the description of the accountabilities of the two Assistant Ministers is as follows:

The provision of modern health and social care does not respect internal departmental boundaries – nor can it be corralled within the Health and Social Services Department itself. The provision of these services requires a contribution of many other States Departments and they can only be delivered through a process of political, managerial and professional collaboration.

In 2009/2010 the internal structure of the Health and Social Services Department will be reorganised to reflect the strategic agenda concerning the provision of high quality services for children and the delivery of the States Strategic Plan.

New Directions is the island-wide strategy for the provision of modern health and social care services and a strategy for managing the rising cost of such services. The contribution of other States Departments and other agencies to the success of New Directions is as pivotal as the contribution of the Health and Social Services Department itself.

In the light of the Council of Ministers agreement to the Andrew Williamson Implementation Plan, there is a need for the Ministerial team to plan for and oversee the formation of a new directorate for Children’s Services and to oversee the phased introduction of the plan itself.

The political responsibilities and accountabilities for Deputy Judith Martin, Assistant Minister, are as follows:

To assume political responsibility for the performance of the Children’s Service.

To achieve this by working in collaboration with other States Departments, other statutory and non-statutory agencies, and by

Ensuring that the work and the contribution of Children’s Services continues to be fully integrated with other health and social care services.

The political responsibilities and accountabilities for Deputy Edward Noel, Assistant Minister, are as follows:

To assume political responsibility for the performance of those management, financial and other functions which provide both the short and longer term resourcing of the Health and Social Services Department and its grant-aided bodies.

To achieve this by working in collaboration with other States Departments – particularly with those other States Departments who have to align their own resources in partnership with the Health and Social Services Department in the interests of patients, clients and the general public.

Deputy Anne Pryke

Minister for Health and Social Services

22 May 2009