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A full review into governance of capital processes, triggered by a recent revelation that civil servants withheld key information from politicians, will cost less than £5,000 and is being undertaken by an “independent, external reviewer”.
The President of Health and Social Care announced earlier this year that several civil servants had withheld information about a multi-million-pound price hike in the Hospital Modernisation Project from the Committee.
The Head of the Public Service, Mark de Garis subsequently announced that he had launched a review into “current governance arrangements” surrounding the Modernisation Project and other capital projects.
“The Committee for Health & Social Care has explained the sequence of events which led to its Members being unsighted on a significant cost pressure on Phase 2 of the Our Hospital Modernisation Programme,” he explained.
“The review will be looking at whether there were any underlying causes which contributed to this, draw conclusions on how effective current governance arrangements are and make recommendations for the future.
“This will include looking at the roles and responsibilities of those officers working on capital programmes and the relationship with the political Committee including the early identification of risk and escalation routes.”
Pictured: Mr Mark de Garis, Head of the Public Service.
An independent, external reviewer has been commissioned “who will speak to officers involved in the Our Hospital Modernisation Programme and wider capital processes as well as review available documentation” continued Mr de Garis.
He also said they will be speaking to individuals outside the States with expertise in capital projects.
The review was commissioned on 28 February and work began shortly after. “I expect to receive a draft report by the end of April but I am continuing to liaise with the independent reviewer in respect of the specific timeframe.”
When asked about cost, Mr de Garis told Express that the review is expected to cost less than £5,000.
“As much information as possible will be published and the President of the Policy & Resources Committee has already undertaken to update the Assembly on the review and its findings," he said.
“It is anticipated that the full review will be published, subject to any redactions which may be necessary.”
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