Such a move would run counter to committee policy of doing everything possible to reduce waiting lists for non-urgent surgery, an aim which involves the building this year of a second day surgery theatre.The day before committee presidents and their chief officers are due to thrash out whether growth bids they are seeking for 2004 are demand-led, Senator Syvret said that without the necessary funding for next year, 2006 and 2007, the committee might also have to consider introducing some charges for hospital services.Among the services that could be reduced or withdrawn is that for IVF, which was introduced after a long campaign.
The number of social workers might also be reduced and cuts could affect the hospital car service, car parking for patients and assistance with costs of patient travel to the UK.Other possibilities are the closure of the hydrotherapy pool and Chez Marguerite Day Centre and a reduction in day centres for elderly people and the cleaning of non-clinical areas.Grant funding to voluntary groups who provide care in the community could also be subjected to a five per cent cut.On the question of possible user-pay charges, the Senator said there could be a £15 charge for outpatient attendance or non-emergency visits to the Accident and Emergency Department.A reduction from five per cent to two and a half per cent in States total growth for 2005 and news this week that the Finance and Economics Committee hope to cut £20m from next year’s public spending plans have left the Senator deeply concerned for the future of the Island’s essential services.Health and Social Services are seeking a total growth bid for 2005 of 5.67 per cent (excluding wages and Jersey inflation).’Unless we receive a significant portion of that growth, 2005 will be the crunch year when we don’t break even and may have to consider making service cuts and patient charges,’ he said, adding: ‘The public expect to have health, education, housing and social security properly looked after financially.’He said that he did not oppose any savings which could be made in efficiency and effectiveness.But any moves to introduce VAT or other forms of tax or make significant cuts involving essential services should not take place until all other approaches, like closing all tax loopholes, had been carried out, he said.
