Health makes its case for housing on PEH field

Wednesday 04 January 2023

Health and Social Care President Deputy Al Brouard has questioned why the hospital field development has been singled out by campaigners when they do not oppose similar building projects elsewhere.

The Committee has argued that a proposal to build housing at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital is needed to help solve its recruitment problems - but the plans have faced a wave of criticism.

Health is reporting that recruitment agencies it uses to find permanent staff are no longer referring applicants to Guernsey because they will not find suitable accommodation if they get a job.

“‘We have difficult choices to make in this current political and financial climate. I understand people have very strong views about building in certain locations across the island,’ said Deputy Brouard.

Pictured: Deputy Al Brouard.

“However, from an HSC position, the choice is a simple one. We urgently need units of key worker accommodation. We must support our existing and future staff by providing suitable units of accommodation. If we cannot get the staff we need because of a lack of suitable accommodation, then more difficult conversations will need to be had about the services we provide and, more importantly, which ones we will have to stop providing.

“We have a field available on the PEH campus that is suitable for accommodation that we can use and for that reason I, and the majority of the HSC Committee, fully support the plans submitted by my P&R colleagues.

“I am a little vexed that this particular small area of land on the PEH campus is singled out to complain about when little heed is given by the same people to other development sites all over the Island including ex-vinery and fields which also become housing.”

Pictured: The field at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital where Policy & Resources and Health & Social Care want to develop housing and build a car park.

HSC says that data from October indicates an immediate waiting list for 71 one bed and 34 two bed units with self-contained facilities for staff who are currently living in private sector accommodation unsuitable for their needs or in other States accommodation who would prefer a self-contained unit.

This does not include new starters.

HSC member Deputy Marc Leadbeater has also spoken at length in support of the scheme.

Pictured: Deputy Marc Leadbeater.

“The States has been criticised for offering those coming to work from off-island a better deal in terms of subsidised accommodation because that is not offered to local staff. We would like to square that circle by having enough key worker units to be able to offer accommodation to locals and license holders alike.”

He cited situations like young people living with their parents who would consider working in health if there was accommodation available.

“This is currently a pipe dream, but it is something that we must strive towards if we are to make working for HSC as attractive as possible for locals and those from off-island alike.”

Policy & Resources has submitted an application for outline permission to build a three- and four-storey building to provide 66 units of key worker accommodation on land adjacent to Duchess of Kent House.

The plans are the first phase of building on the field, with two other parts earmarked for future development, and include 120 car parking spaces.

Pictured: The proposed layout for the housing scheme.

The public can make representations about the plan until 10 January.

The application can be viewed at gov.gg/liveplanningapplications. 

Its reference number is OP/2022/2321 and the address for the application is Le Bordage Seath, Rue Mignot, Le Vauquiedor, St Andrew’s.