Charity hits back at changes to proposed site for Jersey's new hospital
Jersey's government has backtracked after a charity hit out over changes to one of the island's potential new hospital sites.
Les Amis has supported adults with learning difficulties from their headquarters in Five Oaks since 1975.
But charity bosses say they were left devastated when they discovered the proposed hospital plan at Five Oaks now included their buildings.
Managing Director Shaun Findlay says the charity has invested a lot of money into the site and without an adequate plan in place, vulnerable adults could be made homeless.
The extended plans were published online but the charity said it was not informed.
Chairman of the Board at Les Amis, Leslie Norman said:
In a statement, Deputy Chief Minister Senator Lyndon Farnham said the government-owned land had been included to improve the overall design.
However, just a few hours later, the government backtracked saying there had been ‘confusion’ over the maps and “The Les Amis site was not, and never has been, considered for the hospital.”
Five sites have been put forward for the new hospital. They are:
Overdale
St Andrew's Park in St Helier
People's Park in St Helier
Fields north of Five Oaks
The current site of the Nightingale Hospital at Millbrook Park combined with fields across the Inner Road
Further announcements about the new hospital are due in the coming days and it is expected a preferred location will be put to the 'Our Hospital Political Oversight Group' in September.
The group will look into the impact on the local environment, infrastructure requirements, overall cost and any site-specific issues.
The States will then be asked to debate the preferred site in November.