Latest news with #TomBinet
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Jersey minister calls for health budget to be increased
Jersey's health minister has called for an increase to the island's health funding, after a forecast predicted the department would be £18m over budget for auditor general, Lynn Pamment, said the rapid rise in spending was a cause for concern and said previous money-saving recommendations had yet to be brought Tom Binet, the health minister, wants a 5%-above-inflation budget increase for several years, to keep up with the costs of new treatments and people living said calling the situation an overspend had damaged staff morale and was "very negative", as health had not received enough budget in the past. "It's made life very challenging for the people who are trying to turn around the health service," he said modern science kept on introducing "better drugs [and] better treatment", which cost more said his department was expected to deliver "what it delivered the year before plus whatever else was thrown its way - all of that costs money."
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Nurses' views should be heard - Jersey's health minister says
Nurses should have more say over the future of the health service, Jersey's health minister has said. Deputy Tom Binet said that nurses have an important contribution to make as the "people who are hands-on". It comes after he met with Nicola Ranger, chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), who visited the island on Wednesday and said it was "vital" for nurses to sit in during senior to her comments, Binet agreed, stating: "As a principle, I think it is extremely good and I think it's something we should be adopting even more than we are doing already." Ms Ranger described her visit and meeting with Binet as positive, adding that she felt her "message was really heard".Binet said: "I've been in business for many years, and I've found as the organisation gets bigger, by going back to the ground floor, you can often find out where the problems are."
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Jersey health minister faces questions over £350m investment plan
Scrutiny panel leaders have been surprised at a media interview given by health minister in which he revealed plans to invest £350m across the health service and in infrastructure chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, Hilary Jeune, said her members had been asking for briefings and details of Project Breakwater, led by Tom Binet, in relation to infrastructure investment since December an interview, Binet proposed, under the project, to invest £350m which would be funded by borrowing or "dipping into savings".Jeune said the panel would hold a standalone hearing with the minister on 2 September. 'Concerning' She said: "This is concerning when we are waiting to scrutinise the spending of hundreds of millions of pounds of public money which is being used for key infrastructure projects, such as Fort Regent and the revitalisation of the town centre."How these are to be funded and who is responsible for these projects, such as where they fit into the infrastructure department remit, are key questions we need answered."Jeune said there appeared to be no cohesive strategy from the Council of Ministers about what the project was, who was responsible for its oversight and how it was communicated to States members and the public. She added the hearing would review the progress with the revitalisation of St Helier and welcomed input from Binet to see how these visions aligned.
ITV News
14-07-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Minister lays out £350 million plan to fund Jersey's health and infrastructure needs over five years
A Jersey Government minister has revealed proposals to invest £350 million across the health service and infrastructure developments. Talking exclusively to ITV News, Deputy Tom Binet says Project Breakwater is a five-year plan to tackle "critical" shortfalls in funding, with £220 million allocated for infrastructure needs such as the regeneration of Fort Regent and the town centre market, and a long-term commitment to European flights. The remaining £130 million will go towards overhauling the health service's digital systems and measures to prevent illness. Ideas for where to get the money from will appear in the Budget later this year but could include borrowing, dipping into savings and new medical charges. Speaking about the issues across infrastructure and health, Deputy Binet says: "Both of these areas have been badly underinvested in over the last ten years. "I'm very determined that we press for this money and commit to it properly. "Some of it might have to come from savings ... we do have a strategic reserve which we may or may not look at borrowing against. There are a number of different options." Highlighting the importance of increased funding, Deputy Binet adds: "It's critical. If we don't, we're just building up a lot of trouble for the future. We've identified, particularly in health, what needs to be done and have a very clear vision to make it right. "I think the savings are being delivered as aggressively as we possibly can; there's only so much you can do in terms of cuts against a background of making sure patient safety isn't compromised." He acknowledges the plans may have to be flexible, perhaps cutting out the "nice to haves" to reduce the overall cost slightly or extending the five-year funding period. US President Donald Trump has already put a dampener on the Government's previous hope to raise £52 million a year from taxing the biggest multinational companies at 15%, by seeking to exempt American businesses. Deputy Binet has also faced tough conversations with the Council of Ministers. He explains: "It's not all easy going because every department wants money but I made the point that it's not my health service, it's the island's. "I'd just ask everybody in the Assembly what type of system they want for their own family. "People need some hope and that's what we're trying to produce."
ITV News
27-06-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Jersey to make final decision on assisted dying law in December
Jersey will decide whether to officially legalise assisted dying later this year. The draft law will be published in early September before going through 14 weeks of political scrutiny, with a final debate and vote on Tuesday 9 December. If it passes, the legislation is expected to come into force in 2027. Health Minister, Deputy Tom Binet, says: "I think we're probably running a bit ahead of the game and I've been very impressed throughout with the people that have been doing this. "This could serve as a template for other places, it's that good." Politicians in Westminster recently passed the next stage of their assisted dying bill covering England and Wales. British MP Sarah Champion has been in Jersey to meet States Members and see how they can support one another. She explains: "It's looking to see where our systems are similar, where we can learn from each other and share experiences, good and bad, so we don't make the same mistakes." Jersey politicians backed the law change to allow assisted dying in principle by 32 votes to 14 in May 2024. It would see those aged 18 or over and living on the island for at least a year given the choice to end their life with the help of medical professionals if they have a terminal illness and less than six months to live, or 12 months if they have a neurodegenerative condition. Fran Hall from the campaign group Dignity in Dying says: "Momentum for change across the British Isles and beyond is unstoppable and we're really grateful that Jersey is leading this." Safeguards have been a key part of discussions about assisted dying legislation across the British Isles, due to concerns that vulnerable people could be coerced to end their lives. To combat this, the UK and the Isle of Man will bring in a specific 'coercion' offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Jersey has not yet defined this but ITV News understands coercion would likely fall under the island's existing homicide law, rather than being dealt with separately. This is an incredibly complicated issue and Jersey's Health Minister wants the States to have no excuse to say no when the assisted dying draft law is debated in December. The difference between Jersey and the UK is that in Westminster, their law is being proposed by a single MP, Kim Leadbeater, through a Private Members' Bill. Whereas, Jersey's legislation is being put forward by the island's government, making it more likely to be approved as they have a majority in the States Assembly. However, this is still an incredibly divisive topic and that is why Jersey politicians are so keen to talk about safeguarding with other jurisdictions. For example, compared to the Isle of Man, Jersey has different residency requirements, meaning someone could live in Jersey for a shorter amount of time before being eligible for an assisted death. What will be interesting is how Guernsey reacts with a new set of politicians - could they soon be the next place in the British Isles to propose assisted dying legislation? Some, like Gavin St Pier, believe it is time for the States to reconsider their position and follow Jersey's model.
