Watchdog to tell public about new inspection plans

Islanders have been invited to see how the Jersey Care Commission plans to inspect hospital, ambulance and mental health provision from 2027.

A year ago the States Assembly approved widening the remit of the commission to include those departments, alongside care services.

Chief inspector Becky Sherrington said it would be working with the newly regulated organisations and it was not about "catching people out".

It comes amid concerns about the future funding of the commission following proposed budget cuts.

The commission said it would carry out its inspections in a "planned and risk-informed way".

Sherrington said: "Regulation provides islanders with independent assurance about the quality and safety of the care they receive by setting clear, evidence-based standards and assessing services against those standards in a fair, proportionate and transparent way."

She added the commission's role was to identify where change would be needed and hold the services to account for delivering "safe, effective and compassionate care".

It comes amid concerns about future funding levels for the service, after the JCC confirmed it stands to have its baseline budget cut by £84,000 per year from 2027.

In a scrutiny meeting, chair Beatriz Poree asked the health minister whether a funding cut would make the service ineffective.

In response, Health Minister Tom Binet said "hopefully not", and suggested it was an "overall decision, not necessarily driven by [him]".

"I think they could probably make those internal cuts without affecting their service," he said.

"That's the hope... it's down to them to apportion those cuts within their organisation."

Binet also said many States departments were having to "tighten their belts".

From 2027, the commission's remit will also expand to include the Jersey Assisted Dying Service.

Sherrington said she was confident it had the resources to meet the increased workload.

She said it had "already taken on complex areas of work" that had "given us good learning" so the commission was prepared.

Sherington was unable to comment on the proposed funding cut, however, in its official submission to the scrutiny panel reviewing the government's proposed budget, the commission said: "At this stage, the commission is not in a position to provide assurance that a recurring, cashable reduction of £84,000 can be achieved in 2027 and sustained thereafter without affecting regulatory activity, capacity or assurance.

"Savings of this scale are likely to involve reducing, deferring or ceasing some activities, with potential implications for the volume, frequency or scope of regulation and resilience within an already lean model."

Members of the public can find out more about the plans at drop-in sessions at the Jersey Library on 12 November between 12:00-14:00 and 17:30-20:30.

The events are free and no registration is necessary.

Follow BBC Jersey on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.