11 December 2025
In recent days there has been much press coverage relating to the recent decision to return to
pre-covid operating ratios between public and private healthcare provision.
Given that private treatment in our hospital generates essential funding which contributes to
the overall health budget, this short-term decision was taken to ensure that, by the year end,
the health budget did not exceed the additional £12 million, already kindly agreed by the Treasury.
It is important to note that, to have not done so would have breached the public finances law
and taken us outside the requirements of the Financial Recovery Plan.
As might be expected, this has caused a good deal of public concern, notwithstanding the fact
that, under the circumstances, there was precious little alternative.
With this in mind, the purpose of this statement is simply to reassure the public that, subject to
the 2026 budget being accepted by the Assembly (and as has always been my intention), we will
revert, at the earliest opportunity, to the same amount of publicly funded treatment as had
been in place before the change was made, for the reasons stated.
Furthermore, whilst the new budget will provide for little more than a break-even situation next
year (save for the new, ringfenced, investment in digital and prevention), Islanders can be
reassured that, through our medical consultants and the wider health team, we will be taking
additional measures to provide as much publicly funded care as we possibly can, in order to
reduce waiting lists during 2026.
As ever, we will be open with the public as to the goals we set and we will also provide quarterly
updates for public consumption at each of the quarterly Advisory Board meetings. I know that
we have the Board's full support for this initiative and will welcome their advice and comments
as we progress.
In closing, I reiterate that the initial change was temporary, and importantly, was not driven
by our first class medical consultants, who consistently provide as much publicly funded care
as finances permit.
They have our full support and I know will do everything in their power to continue to work
with the Leadership team, and our small Ministerial team, to improve waiting lists during 2026.
Finally, I fully appreciate public concern on this issue, but hope that everyone will consider all
the facts as we continue to drive change, not just in the performance of the service, but also in
public understanding of the need for further investment in health and the likelihood that it is
going to require greater public contribution in the longer term.
gov.je