Scrutiny launches reviews into hospital modernisation and patient record system
- Two dedicated review panels will examine Guernsey's hospital modernisation programme and electronic patient record system independently
- Phase 1 of the hospital modernisation programme was estimated at £34 million but has experienced delays and additional costs, with the overall programme now estimated at £120–160 million
- More than £20 million has been invested in the current phase of the electronic patient record system, with further substantial investment required
- The reviews will assess management, governance, political oversight, value for money and whether programmes are delivering intended outcomes
- Expressions of interest will be sought from the public and States' members to serve on the review panels, with work commencing in autumn
Reviews have been launched into Guernsey's hospital modernisation programme and electronic patient record system, following concerns over delays, cost overruns and the scale of public investment involved.
The Scrutiny Management Committee announced on 3rd August that it will establish two dedicated review panels to examine the Our Hospital Modernisation Programme (OHMP) and the implementation of the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) System independently.
The Quarry
The reviews will assess the management, governance and political oversight of each programme, with particular focus on intended outcomes, benefits realisation, value for money and whether appropriate arrangements are in place to support successful delivery.
Over the past twelve months, the committee has engaged with the Health & Social Care, regularly seeking progress updates on both programmes. However, given the scale of public investment and the continuing importance of both projects to the island, the committee now believes the formal scrutiny process is both appropriate and necessary.
Nick Mann
Phase 1 of the OHMP was estimated to cost £34 million, but the project has experienced delays and additional costs whilst the new critical care facility remains incomplete and has yet to open. The OHMP overall is currently estimated to cost the taxpayer between £120 million and £160 million, with the original total budget for Phase 2 allocated at approximately £120 million.
The States has already invested more than £20 million in the current phase of the EPR System, with further phases requiring substantial additional investment before the programme is complete.
Both review panels are expected to be established shortly, with work commencing in the autumn. The committee will invite expressions of interest from members of the public with relevant expertise to serve on the panel examining the Electronic Patient Record System. Expressions of interest will also be sought from States' members wishing to serve alongside committee members on the panel examining the Our Hospital Modernisation Programme.
Deputy Andy Sloan, President of the Scrutiny Management Committee, said: "These are among the largest and most significant public sector projects ever undertaken in Guernsey. Together they involve many tens of millions of pounds of public money, with further substantial investment still to come. Over the past year we have deliberately given Health & Social Care the opportunity to get these projects onto a firmer footing before commencing formal scrutiny. Throughout that period we have sought regular updates and engaged constructively with the Committee."
He added: "That period of engagement should now give way to independent examination. Our focus is straightforward: whether the governance, political oversight and programme management arrangements are robust; whether the programmes are delivering the outcomes and benefits that were intended; and whether Islanders are receiving value for the substantial sums of public money being invested."
Q&A
Q: Why has the Scrutiny Management Committee launched these reviews now?
A: The committee has engaged constructively with Health & Social Care over the past twelve months, seeking regular progress updates. Given the scale of public investment and the continuing importance of both projects, the committee now believes sufficient time has been afforded and formal scrutiny is appropriate and necessary.
Q: How much have these programmes cost so far and what are the total estimated costs?
A: Phase 1 of the hospital modernisation programme was estimated at £34 million but has experienced additional costs, with the overall programme now estimated at £120–160 million. More than £20 million has been invested in the current phase of the electronic patient record system, with further substantial investment required to complete it.
Q: What will the reviews focus on?
A: The reviews will assess the management, governance and political oversight of each programme, with particular focus on intended outcomes, benefits realisation, value for money and whether appropriate arrangements are in place to support successful delivery.
Comments ()