03 November 2022
The States of Jersey Ambulance Service (SJAS) and the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service
(SJFRS) have published independent reviews of their services.
States of Jersey Ambulance Service
Overall, the review concluded that the States of Jersey Ambulance Service is a good
organisation with passionate and caring staff who provide a good quality of care to patients.
Staff were also found to be adequately trained, with access to equipment that is fit for purpose.
Since the review was concluded, a number of its recommendations have already been
addressed. A working group has been set up and tasked with reviewing and implement any
required changes. The service is also working closely with colleagues from Health & Community
Services to agree a framework for both strategic and tactical work between the departments.
The Minister for Home Affairs, Deputy Helen Miles, said: “I’m grateful to the Association of
Ambulance Chief Executives for facilitating Jersey’s first review of the Ambulance Service since its
move to the Justice and Home Affairs department.
“The findings are extremely useful and will allow the team to make further practical
improvements to enable the staff to maintain and build upon the great service they already
provide to islanders.”
Chief Ambulance Officer, Pete Gavey said: “I’d like to thank colleagues from AACE for their time
and effort put in to helping us effectively review our service. Overall, I see the findings as fair
and generally positive of the States of Jersey Ambulance Service.
“I’m especially pleased with the comments regarding staff dedication and passion. I can attest to
this, and I’m made proud daily by my staff’s tenacity and hard work, particularly over the last
two years of the pandemic.
“We are committed to providing the best possible service for islanders, and a working group
has already formed and actioned a number of points to address the suggestions.”
States of Jersey Fire and Rescue
The report highlights a number of positive attributes about the Service, in particular that there
are committed and dedicated people at all levels of the Service who are focused on keeping
Islanders safe.
It reported that vehicles and equipment are of a good quality and there are some good
examples of partnership working as well as evidence of innovative practices.
The report does, however, point to structural and resourcing challenges which are preventing
the Service from fulfilling some basic functions adequately and inhibiting necessary change and
improvement to address evolving risk and wider professional developments.
The Minister for Home Affairs, Helen Miles, said: “I’m pleased that the report recognised the
Service’s ‘openness, transparency, and desire to improve’ by requesting the review and the
Chief Fire Officer and senior officer colleagues are already working on implementation work for
the wider plan.
“Many of the recommendations are being addressed as part of a strategic action plan which I
have committed to supporting and investing in as part of my Ministerial Plan.”
Chief Fire Officer, Paul Brown said: “I acknowledge the recommendations in the review and have
a clear plan to address the challenges ahead and have been working with government since
before the peer review to secure investment, through the Government Plan, to enable it.
“A business case has been approved by the Council of Ministers and investment is included in
the draft Government Plan 2023-2026, for debate in the Assembly in December.
“I’m delighted that the dedication and commitment of my team has been recognised and I’m
extremely proud to lead them going forward as we continue to work on the recommendations
and deliver our prevention and emergency response service to protect our community.”
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