Alex Jenner: Five things I'd change about Guernsey

Friday 04 May 2018

Alex Jenner is known for her charitable work with the MS Society Guernsey and previously with the Guernsey Cheshire Home, and she said there is one thing she wouldn't want to change about the island - the community spirit.

Yes; she said, there is lots to moan about, but when the "proverbial hits the fan" the residents of the Bailiwick always come out in force to support and protect each other. Mrs Jenner managed to tell us five things she would change about Guernsey when we pushed her though:

1. Sort out the dog poo "non picker uppers"

There are a number of dog owners that are totally irresponsible when it comes to looking after their animals and doing one of the easiest things ever – “picking up their dogs poo”.  It really isn’t difficult (although the very wet ones can be a little challenging).

It’s quite simple really "the dog does a poo, the dog walker/owner picks it up in a bag and puts the bag in the bin." Many bags are now biodegradable and recyclable and made from sustainable bioplastic and really cheap.  If you can’t afford to buy poo bags then how are you feeding and caring for your pet? Money is absolutely no excuse at all.

Increasing the dog tax is a really good idea but are those that actually pay the tax really the culprits?  As a dog owner I would be OK with paying (not happy obviously) a little more to help find the culprits of the doggy doo but how likely is that going to be?  Instead of looking at the beautiful scenery of our island (which most people moaned hasn’t appeared in the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society movie), you have to watch where you walk because of those irresponsible owners.  Perhaps it wasn’t the high cost of getting on and off the island that stopped the filming here after all – maybe it was the copious mounds of dog poo left around Guernsey. The few non picker uppers should be ashamed of themselves.  If they are unable to pick up the poo due to ill health/physical problems then they should ask for help – there are people that would happily walk with you.  If they just can’t be bothered then they shouldn’t be allowed a dog.  I don’t have the answer but change would be great.

Anyway; moan over and thank you to all those law abiding citizens, doggie tax paying people that do pick up after their dogs even when it is messy and smelly and you just want to puke!

Sadly, it is only the few that spoil it for everyone else, as with most things in life.

2. The availability of treatments for diseases

Deputy Roffey has recently raised the lack of some medications to patients in Guernsey as an issue.  This is certainly not a new issue for the MS Society and has been an ongoing battle for us in Guernsey for many years.  My first personal knowledge of this was a case where a drug was not available in Guernsey, although it was approved by the National Institution for Health & Care Excellence (“NICE”) in the UK and recommended by an MS Neuro Specialist, in 2014.  It still isn’t available here...

There are many Disease Modifying Therapies (“DMT’s”) available for people with MS.  

There is no cure for MS but the potential for deterioration can be slowed down by some of these DMT’s. Do Guernsey MS Patients have the option of the top performing DMT’s? The answer to that is NO!  Yes, there are lots of reasons why according to HSC; a few as follows:

1. We don’t have a Neurologist in the Island (he visits monthly I believe).
2. We can’t afford it.
3. We don’t have the framework to support the make up of the drugs, administration of the drugs or monitoring.

The response from HSC, and its predecessor HSSD, has not changed over the years although may have been worded slightly differently. We don’t disagree and understand totally that there are limitations and hurdles, but there are also solutions if you work together.

Basically, it comes down to cost but how can you truly measure the cost of a good quality, independent, and pain free life?

There is a natural drug available that can help those with those suffering with pain and certain illnesses and diseases.  It’s called cannabis, and if controlled properly it could help so many people and at a much less cost than other prescribed drugs, including the current cannabis based drug called Sativex used by some with MS in Guernsey.  

I certainly don’t advocate general use of drugs for recreational purposes, in any form, but would like to see a natural product being utilised to it’s fullest potential.  With the hallucinogenic element of the cannabis plant being extracted; Tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”), then this is potentially the purest form of pain relief available.

Perhaps those that are suffering should have a say in this and they may start to live their lives again rather than want to die.

3. More funding of equipment necessary for islanders to "do their daily thing"

I am so pleased to see the Disability Legislation finally moving ahead – well done to all involved.  As usual, it is being done to the "Guernsey timescale" but it is so important.  Is the legislation going to affect how our States support financially the needs of some islanders with disabilities though?

One of the biggest things that comes up regularly when someone with MS NEEDS a certain piece of equipment is how the States just decide that if that person has property then they can afford to pay for it themselves.  So, this person (yes a human person with feelings) who has probably worked hard all their life to enable them to buy their own home, pay their taxes and insurance, needs for example, an electric wheelchair, as they are no longer able to walk.  Not only is this a costly piece of equipment but it’s also a highly emotional time in their lives when they have to "concede that they need help’" – which is not easy for a Guern. So, in my view this is a necessity; it’s not because they want a bit of luxury, it’s to replace their legs and provide them with the means to actually move around.  They own their own house, may be paying a mortgage still, supporting children through education, could still be working and paying taxes and insurance – the answer from our States will be NO!

Something needs to be done about this.  There are thousands of pounds wasted every year with second hand equipment having to be dumped, either because it can’t be reused as we don’t have a deep cleaning provision in Guernsey or it’s just not worth the risk of being sued.

4.  CI Lottery scratch cards

Working for a few charities over the years and being involved in many grant applications, this has to be one of the most frustrating and annoying things to me. Who does receive the profits from the scratch card elements of the Lottery tickets?  We know that it isn’t Guernsey Charities – is it still used to fund Beau Sejour?  The cost to hire a room in Beau Sejour is huge; as it is at other venues in Guernsey, but if this venue is funded by profits which are for community purposes then why can’t charities and community organizations afford to use it?

I am not saying that Beau Sejour shouldn’t be there but perhaps there should be a more equitable and open way of distributing profits obtained from gambling!

5. "Nana Naps"

Nana Naps should be compulsory every afternoon for as long as is necessary to recharge your batteries ready for the next round.