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Despite positive efforts to reduce backlogs in some hospital departments, more people are coming onto the lists faster than they can be seen.
The States opened a new dedicated ward last year to clear waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery, which alongside existing facilities has successfully completed hundreds of procedures.
But the Health President, Deputy Al Brouard, told the States yesterday that “despite sustained effort our demographics are such that the waiting lists continue to grow”.
There’s a similar story in gastroenterology. Health brought in a UK provider to run month's-worth of weekend clinics to ‘blitz’ waiting lists this year. While 500 people were seen over nine weeks, those still waiting for treatment is higher than Health wants to see.
“There can be no doubt as to the rising demands being placed on our health sector,” Deputy Broaurd added.
He also said new cases are proving to involve increasingly complex features.
Pictured: Deputy Al Brouard updated deputies on the Committee's work yesterday.
Funding for phase two of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital modernisation project was agreed by the States just months ago, and Deputy Brourad said this positive investment will allow Health to plan better for the long-term to meet the inevitable further increase in demand for services.
In a wide-ranging update to the Assembly, he also said States committees have been asked to give feedback on new regulations for electronic cigarettes, particularly on accessibility and marketing of the products to children.
Views are also being sought on banning disposable vapes.
Thought has also been given to non-nicotine vapes, but Law Officers have advised Health this area is complex and so timeframes weren’t given for new rules.
Following questions, Deputy Brouard said there is evidence of a rise in cannabis related incidents from mental health facilities. He said anyone diverging prescription medication, not just cannabis, were creating additional problems for the island.
A change in how the medicine is dispensed to patients could be considered.
Consultants, namely Solutions for Public Health, are carrying out a review into NICE TA drugs, while CareWatch is gathering public feedback on their benefits or otherwise since they were introduced a few years ago. A report is likely to go before deputies next year, with sustainable long-term funding yet to be decided.
And Deputy Brouard also revealed his personal ambition for the St Johns care home to be expanded after it was nationalised by the States a year ago. He said this would make it more “financially sustainable”.
One year on: 463 procedures on De Havilland unit but waiting list continues to climb
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Orthopaedic unit shows promise but many need treatment
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