Health committee withholds dialysis feasibility report from public release
- Health and Social Care refuses to publish options appraisal on providing dialysis services in Alderney
- Document described as high-level options appraisal rather than formal feasibility study, withheld under freedom of information exemption for internal policy advice
- Decision follows freedom of information request submitted in May 2026 seeking access to feasibility work
- Committee cites patient safety, clinical support and practical challenges of delivering specialist service in small, remote setting
- Position on dialysis provision in Alderney remains unchanged from responses given to parliamentary questions in October 2025
Health and Social Care has declined to publish an options appraisal on dialysis services in Alderney, citing exemptions under freedom of information laws.
The decision follows a formal information request submitted on 27 May 2026, seeking access to what was described as a feasibility study into the provision of renal dialysis services on the island.
The committee responded on 22 June 2026, confirming that such work had been undertaken but would not be released to the public.
The committee acknowledged that the provision of dialysis services in Alderney remains "an important and sensitive issue for Alderney's residents" and said it recognises that individuals would prefer to receive healthcare closer to home wherever possible.
However, officials clarified that the work in question was not a formal feasibility study but rather "a high-level options appraisal provided by the Committee's service provider".
The committee has invoked Exemption 2.4 under the Freedom of Information code, which covers internal discussion and policy advice, to withhold the document from publication.
The decision not to provide dialysis services in Alderney was previously addressed in responses to questions submitted by Alderney Representative Snowdon in October 2025 under Rule 14 of parliamentary procedure. The committee directed those seeking further information to its published responses to Questions 4c and 5 from that exchange.
In its response, the committee said its position on dialysis provision "reflects careful consideration of a range of factors, including patient safety, clinical support, and the practical challenges associated with delivering such a specialist service in a small and remote setting".
The committee stated it had considered releasing the options appraisal document when preparing its response to the Rule 14 Questions in October 2025 but concluded at that time it was not suitable for publication. That position was reviewed again following the recent freedom of information request but remained unchanged.
Officials said the committee "remains committed to ensuring that patients who require dialysis receive safe and appropriate care".
Alderney residents requiring dialysis treatment currently need to travel to receive the specialist service, which typically requires multiple sessions per week. The challenges of delivering such services in remote island locations include the need for specialist clinical staff, technical support, and emergency backup systems.
Health and Social Care oversees healthcare provision across the Bailiwick of Guernsey, which includes Alderney.
The decision to withhold the options appraisal means that the detailed analysis behind the committee's position on Alderney dialysis services will remain confidential.
Q&A
Q: Why won't the committee publish the dialysis feasibility document?
A: The committee is applying Exemption 2.4 under the Freedom of Information code, which covers internal discussion and policy advice. Officials concluded the document was not suitable for publication when initially considered in October 2025, and that position remains unchanged.
Q: What is the difference between the feasibility study mentioned and what actually exists?
A: The committee clarified that the work undertaken was not a formal feasibility study but rather a high-level options appraisal provided by the committee's service provider.
Q: What reasons does the committee give for not providing dialysis services in Alderney?
A: The committee cites patient safety, clinical support, and the practical challenges associated with delivering such a specialist service in a small and remote setting as factors in its decision.
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