27/02/2017 Channel Islands News

Jersey's Health Department is criticised on how tax

payers money is spent for Family Nursing and Homecare.

In the best interests of proper accounting, it should be all laid

out and transparent. Good evening and welcome

to the late news from BBC Changes to charges to

improve transparency A lack of transparency

and accountability are just some of the criticisms surrounding

changes to government funding for Family Nursing

and Homecare in Jersey. The Health department is cutting

the subsidies it gives to the charity to provide home care

services, but a scrutiny report into this has led to questions

on how tax payers money is being used, as Emma

Chambers reports. It's a service that is

going to get a lot more expensive for Family Nursing

and home care clients. From ?11 an hour, it

will double to ?22 an hour. That's because home care

provision is moving into the commercial market -

putting an end to This led to a scrutiny review -

which today has criticised the way tax payers money used to support

the charity wasn't The funding for home care

was included in a block grant of several million pounds

for all sorts of things, which included the district nursing

as well the health visitors and children's health services,

so all of that was paid for in a lump sum without either

party knowing how it was broken down or having a service

level agreement in place. In the best interests

of proper accounting, it should all be laid

out and transparant. Both Family Nursing

and the Health Minister have refused an interview with the BBC

on the lack of transparency when it comes to funding -

but in statements, they both say they acknowledge the report's

findings and are working closely with each other to finalise

the details of their The scrutiny review also highlighted

other issues, including a lack of communication

and an unrealistic timescale, which they say has helped delay

the grant cut by an extra year. We wanted to make sure

that the clients of family nursing and home care wouldn't be left

without support, financial support if they needed it, and also,

as a result of our report, we trust the minister has extended

time in which these clients can apply for the benefits

they might need. Which should come into effect

later this year, to help the extra costs these clients will have

to face when the grant Guernsey's emergency department

is overhauling the way It means some simple

procedures will be cheaper, while more complex cases

will cost more. The States took over

the Emergency Department from a private company

in September last year. Some say you can't put

a price on your health. In Guernsey, you have

to pay for primary care. And that includes trips

to the Emergency Department. This board lists all the treatments

you could be charged for. What we have done is

try to make them more open and transparent

so the public know more upfront,

because the charges now will include all

the additionals that were previously

added on, like a blood test or inoculation, it's all included

in the categories now, so it's more open to the public

to understand what the Behind me is a blue board that

lists the prices of the treatments here at the

emergency department. That is all set to change

on Wednesday, to include more transparency so people understand

what they are charged for, and because the States are providing

the care, not a private provider. We are told that some

treatments will be cheaper, but some will

be more expensive. If you're going to the emergency

department with a finger injury, it will cost ?172. Under the new

charging structure, it will be cheaper. For abdominal pain, the

treatment fee rises to ?275. The eight insist that it is not charging

for profit. We do believe the charges we set our in-line with the

budget. It is not that we are trying to make a profit or even cover the

full costs. We are just trying to be fair for what the service means. So

the states has put a price on your health, but it hopes that most of

the new charges will help to ease the financial pain.

A 57-year-old man from Jersey has died while skiing

Mark Le Sueur from Trinity, who was known to many as Frank,

was skiing in the resort of Val D'Isere last Thursday.

Emergency medical treatment was given on the mountainside before

he was airlifted by helicopter to Grenoble Hospital

but died from a heart attack before he arrived.

Aurigny is offering islanders facing bereavement

for flights between Guernsey and the UK.

Flights between Alderney and the UK, via Guernsey, will be capped at

Aurigny hopes the fares will make a difference to those facing

expensive flights when booking last-minute in the case

The compassionate fares scheme comes into effect on the first of March.

You may have noticed some changes to the layout at Green Street

A new pedestrian crossing and a new kerb line have been put

in place before resurfacing in a couple of weeks.

They're all part of plans to make it safer and easier

It's one of Jersey's busiest junctions and work has already

started to make it easier for everyone to use.

This morning, you may have noticed a new kerb line.

These black and yellow blocks are temporary and adjust the layout

They bring the roundabout up to modern design standards and

it's hoped they'll make it safer for everyone.

We've tested it in the office and we've had the bus company down

here on trials with large vehicles, so we're confident that it

won't cause an obstacle course - it should just make

Work to resurface the roundabout will start in two weeks and it's

being done after seven o'clock in the evening and on Sundays

It was because of the police station being built.

There was concern raised in the States that the crossing

facilities for people coming through Snow Hill car park

through to the police station could be improved and we did

an assessment of that and decided that we could install a pair

of zebra crossings on Green Street, just to the north of the roundabout.

Work to resurface the roundabout will start in two weeks and it's

being done after seven o'clock in the evening and on Sundays

Sport now and Guernsey FC beat fellow strugglers

East Grinstead Town on Saturday to put more distance

between themselves and the Ryman South relegation zone.

Dave Rihoy capitalised on a defensive mistake

and scored the only goal of the game - the Green Lions held

on for the remaining 83 minutes to secure three points.

We've had some good performances recently,

certainly the last two are

Some of the road this year, we haven't got what we deserved,

but today I'm pleased with the players

because they deserve the

three points, they deserve to enjoy it, because

Tomorrow there's a flood warning in place for Guernsey's West coast.

A 9.6 metre high tide combined with force six

to eight westerly winds means there'll be water

The Perelle Coast Road - from Vazon to L'Eree -

The high tide is at a quarter to eight.

Meanwhile in Jersey, the high tide is just after seven thirty

Waves breaking over sea walls and debris could cause problems

And there will be regular travel news updates

on BBC Radio Guernsey and Jersey from 6.

Thank you. Hello. Good evening. We are still in winter. I know the

flowers are out and we have had some sunshine, but it is still cold and

that continues over the next couple of days. It will finally get

slightly less cold by the time we get towards the end of the week and

the wind is easing somewhat. But for the next couple of days, some heavy

showers around. Briefly some sunshine and the wind later on this

week will eventually ease. You can see we have quite a deep and large

area of low pressure. Wrapped around it, several roles that are

circulating and continuing to feed in showers across others. By the

time we get to Wednesday, the more persistent rain for a time but

briefly some milder air. The cold returns as we move towards the end

of the week. Blustery overnight tonight. Plenty of showers. One or

two of those could be happy with the risk of hail and thunder and

temperatures just 2-3 C. A cold start to the day tomorrow. A day

when, after the showers have gone, there will be some sunshine, but

then another line of showers will approach from the north-west later

in the day. Eight have nine Celsius will be the top temperature. Throw

in the strength of wind and it will feel colder than that. The forecast

for Central parts of Europe is also very unsettled. Spain and Portugal

not too bad but in France there is a lot of cloud and outbreaks of rain

and sleet and snow as well. Although temperatures are lower, it is less

cold across the more northerly parts of Europe over the next couple of

days. Borrowers, we continue to see showers on Wednesday. Some of those

will be heavy. Briefly, some bright weather around on Thursday. Before

the cloud and the rain returns on Friday. Temperature is no more than

10-11 C. Have a good night. Banks, David. Not looking very good. Time

to baton down the hatches. That's your news

this Monday evening.