Health Insurance (Performers List for General Medical Practitioners) (Amendment) (Jersey) Regulations 201-

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.

Ministers are elected by the States Assembly and have legal responsibilities and powers as “corporation sole” under the States of Jersey Law 2005 by virtue of their office and in their areas of responsibility, including entering into agreements, and under any legislation conferring on them powers.

An accurate record of “Ministerial Decisions” is vital to effective governance, including:

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

Ministers are individually accountable to the States Assembly, including for the actions of the departments and agencies which discharge their responsibilities.

The Freedom of Information Law (Jersey) Law 2011 is used as a guide when determining what information is be published. While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.

A decision made on 4 May 2017:

Decision Reference: MD-HSS-2017-0047
Decision Summary Title:	Proposed Draft Amendment to the Health Insurance (Performers List for General Medical Practitioners) (Jersey) Regulations 2014		Date of Decision Summary:	02 May 2017
Decision Summary Author:	Primary Care Manager		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title:	Health Insurance (Performers List for General Medical Practitioners) (Amendment) (Jersey) Regulations 201-		Date of Written Report:	02 May 2017
Written Report Author:	Primary Care Manager		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Approval of the amendments to the Health Insurance (Performers List for General Medical Practitioners) (Jersey) Regulations 201- to enable trainee GPs to be temporarily included on the Jersey Performers List.
Decision(s): The Minister approved the amendments to the Health Insurance (Performers List for General Medical Practitioners) (Jersey) Regulations 2014 for lodging and directs that the document should be lodged au Greffe so as to allow the amendment to be debated by the States.
Reason(s) for Decision: The proposed amendments update the Health Insurance (Performers List for General Medical Practitioners (Jersey) Regulations 2014 to facilitate the introduction of trainees into general practice in Jersey. Without the amendments to the Regulations, trainees would not be permitted to access the Health Insurance Fund for the purpose of claiming medical benefit and prescribing. This would restrict established practices in hosting them. The Regulations state that any medical practitioner in general practice in Jersey has to be on the Performers List if they are to be permitted to access the Health Insurance Fund (for the purposes of claiming rebates for consultations and for prescription fees). At present, there is no provision for doctors who wish to qualify as GPs, known as specialty trainees (STs) and foundation year 2 trainees (FY2s), to be on the List. Therefore a change to the law is required for this to occur. There is an appetite amongst trainees who are already in rotation within secondary care as part of the structured GP training programme to undertake a general practice placement on the island with a view to becoming Jersey GPs upon completion of training. There have also been historic requests to complete training on-island. In addition, there is a will amongst GP practices to host FY2s and STs with a number of GPs currently committed to undertaking the appropriate training to accommodate them. The major restriction to practices offering to host an FY2 or ST is the ability to access the HIF rebate. This restriction would be lifted should the regulations be amended to incorporate trainees on a temporary basis. Practices will offer appointments with FY2s and STs at a reduced rate, making patient access more affordable. Without access to the health insurance rebate, this would not be possible. Offering appointments with FY2s and STs will also create more appointments with the substantive GP. The draft amendment enables trainees to be permitted temporary approval as a performer for the purpose of accessing the Health Insurance Fund.
Resource Implications: There are no additional resource implications for the States of Jersey.
Action required: Forward the signed Ministerial Decision to the Greffe; Forward the Health Insurance (Performers List for General Medical Practitioners) (Amendment) (Jersey) Regulations 201- to be lodged; and Request the Greffier of the States to arrange for the amendments to be lodged au Greffe.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Health and Social Services
Date Signed:		Date of Decision: (If different from date signed):