Covid-19 (Health Insurance Fund) (Jersey) Regulations 202-

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While there is a presumption toward publication to support of transparency and accountability, detailed information may not be published if, for example, it would constitute a breach of data protection, or disclosure would prejudice commercial interest.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 15 April 2020

Decision Reference: MD-S-2020-0022
Decision Summary Title :	Covid-19 (Health Insurance Fund) (Jersey) Regulations 202-		Date of Decision Summary:	14 April 2020
Decision Summary Author:	Head of Policy		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Covid-19 (Health Insurance Fund) (Jersey) Regulations 202-		Date of Written Report:	14 April 2020
Written Report Author:	Head of Policy		Written Report : Public or Exempt?	Public
Subject: Covid-19 (Health Insurance Fund) (Jersey) Regulations 202-
Decision(s): The Minister decided to lodge ‘au Greffe’ the Covid-19 (Health Insurance Fund) (Jersey) Regulations 202-
Reason(s) for Decision: These regulations provide for a transfer of £5.322 million from the Health Insurance Fund (HIF) to the consolidated fund to support the cost of two contracts entered between the Health and Community Services Department and local General Practitioner (GP) practices. On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organisation labelled the Coronavirus outbreak a pandemic and urged governments to take ‘urgent and aggressive action’. At that time, Health and Community Services (HCS) had already initiated discussions with primary care and agreed an ‘At Risk Optimisation Service’ to ensure that an early response to COVID-19 could be operationalised before the peak of the pandemic occurs. To best make use of the island’s health resources over the period of the pandemic, HCS have now also agreed contracts with GPs and GP surgeries for an initial period of four months. This will improve efficiency and resilience in the response to COVID-19 and is an essential factor in ensuring that the Island’s Health system can flex to meet the coming demand. The provisions of the Health Insurance Law tightly control the ways in which the Fund can be used, ensuring it is ring-fenced for primary care activity. However, in the current rising crisis this inflexibility means it cannot adequately support Primary Care to undertake the range of roles needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed transfer ensures that HCS can direct the activity of primary care practitioners and ensure a co-ordinated and effective response to COVID-19.
Resource Implications: There are no manpower implications. The transfer of £5.322 million will be made into the consolidated fund. Given the urgent need for these services, the Minister for Treasury and Resources has provided the Health and Community Services Department with interim funding to cover the costs of the At Risk Health Optimisation service and the GP and surgeries contract. The HIF Transfer will replace these amounts, allowing funding to be made available for other emergency COVID-19 related support. The most recent valuation of the Fund is £83 million.
Action required: Head of Policy to request the Greffier of the States to arrange to lodge the Draft Regulations ‘au Greffe’ for debate by the States Assembly at the earliest opportunity.
Signature:		Position: Minister for Social Security
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):