Jersey’s Health Department Forecasts £28 Million Deficit by Year-End

Jersey’s health department is projected to face a deficit of £28m by the close of 2024, according to a senior health leader. During a meeting of the Health and Community Services (HCS) Advisory Board, Obi Hassan, the HCS change team finance lead, stated that this figure represents the net outcome of savings achieved throughout the year and escalating costs. Mr. Hassan indicated that the shortfall would “going to require making some really tough decisions”. This week, the States Assembly has been debating the budget, which allocates an additional £31m for HCS in 2025. In the most recent HCS finance report, Mr Hassan noted that the anticipated deficit had been revised upwards from £24.5m following a comprehensive financial review. He identified factors that could contribute to an increase in the deficit, including rising costs associated with social and mental health care, the substantial expense of specialist care contracts, and costly drugs. Carolyn Downs, director of the HCS advisory board, emphasized that it was “essential” for HCS to operate within its financial limits. “It’s extraordinarily important for the credibility of HCS”, she said.