Health care too important for ‘personal battles’ between deputies

As a group representing patients with lymphoma and leukaemia we approached deputies last year, 2017, regarding a successful treatment that was well tried in the US, Europe and the UK, but not on the list for Guernsey. We did eventually have this put on our list, with some pressure and publicity, and were told that five patients accessed this drug.

We then discovered that there were many more drugs for cancer patients on a large list and it seemed that these were given to some but not others. Every decision had to be reviewed by a panel led by Social Security and ‘advisers’ such as pharmacy staff.

Peter Roffey and Jennifer Merrett have presented a requete to the States that we keep up with the UK list of drugs approved by Nice for the use in the NHS. Even this is not ideal, as the UK are the last to allow the newer medications used by the US and Europe.

Maybe Heidi Soulsby can afford health insurance for her family. Those that cannot are at a disadvantage, creating a social divide in the island that is already evident in ‘relative poverty’ terms.

There is nothing more important for Guernsey than the health of its people. If you feel strongly about this subject it’s time to get yourself on the electoral roll, to get a ‘more diverse’ representation of deputies to make life bearable for the whole population. Personal battles have no place in decision making about the health of islanders.

PIPPA HUDSON

piphud68@mail.com

Editor’s footnote: Deputy Heidi Soulsby replies: I do find it somewhat ironic that the reader accuses me of making personal remarks and then proceeds to do just that in her letter.

It seems that the reader is confused as to what HSC has agreed to do, and is doing, as she gives the impression that HSC is not listening, which is actually the opposite of the case. As a result of a resolution arising from the committee’s Partnership of Purpose Policy Letter in December last year, we agreed to review our drugs and treatments policy. In addition, following a successful amendment we laid to the Policy & Resources Plan in June, which was supported by Deputy Roffey, we committed to presenting a policy letter to the States before the end of this term.

This work has already begun and will include a peer review by an off-island expert, who we will announce shortly. In August, after Deputy Roffey had advised all members that he wished to lay a requete, I met with him and explained the progress we had made and advised that we would be reporting to the States next year. Subsequent to that meeting I sent a letter to Deputy Roffey, copied to all States members, setting out the committee’s concerns with the requete, including the fact that it was not evidence-based, could potentially delay our review and was unfunded.

It is therefore disappointing that the requete has been laid. It is my view that States members should make evidence-based decisions. The requete is going back to the bad old days of money being given as a result of who shouts loudest.

We will never be able to satisfy everyone’s desires when it comes to health funding. It is probably true that health and social care does require more funding, it certainly will over the coming years. However, it is also true that there will never be enough money to meet everyone’s desires. As such, we need to think strategically and focus on needs, not wants.

I would just like to finish on a personal note. I am a wife, mother and daughter and I would be lying if I said that I was not impacted by the difficult situations that members of our community face. I wish I could give everyone what they want, I really do. I know that will never be possible, but what I am committed to doing is ensuring that we treat everyone fairly and equally, which includes the many who currently suffer in silence.