'There's a confirmed plan for Jersey's hospital', says government
Jersey's government insists there is a confirmed plan for the future of the island's hospital.
It says project management company Mace has validated the plan to deliver the new hospital.
However, politicians say they have not identified where it will be built, but say identifying a site "remains the highest priority".
The public call for site suggestions was completed at the end of January and delivered more than 300 submissions.
The Political Oversight Group, a newly formed panel of citizens, says it will take a recommendation to the Council of Ministers and says that in the next four weeks it will know who is going to design and build the hospital.
The team of 17 islanders says it is working on the criteria and questions that will ensure an impartial selection process for the hospital site.
What factors are assessed in choosing the site?
Clinical priorities
Patient priorities
Citizens’ panel priorities
Draft planning guidance
Public interest
Key milestones set by the group include:
By early April it will have appointed the design and delivery partner and have a shortlist of two or three feasible sites.
Between April and June there will be a range of detailed technical assessments for the shortlisted sites, including an environmental impact assessment.
In July the group will announce the preferred site and lodge a proposition for States debate.
At the States sitting on 8 September 2020 the States will debate, and the group hopes it will, approve the preferred site.
The Political Oversight Group says it will continue to work with the Scrutiny Panel so that they can carry out their role in parallel to this process in a way that enables the project to maintain its momentum.