Independent and Clinical Advisors appointed to New Healthcare Facilities Programme

Independent Advisors

Following public recruitment for the role earlier this year, three candidates have been chosen to act as ‘critical friends’ in the development of new healthcare facilities in the Island.

The Advisors will provide assurance to the Chief Minister, the Minister for Infrastructure, the Minister for Health and Social Services and the Minister for Treasury and Resources that decision making information is comprehensive, and outlines both positive and negative implications of different options. They will also ensure that any courses of action recommended to Ministers is effectively challenged and explored as part of a commitment to maintain transparency and drive efficient decision making.

The Independent Advisors are:

• Dr Nigel Minihane, a Local General Practitioner, practising in Jersey for over 30 years. Dr Minihane has ongoing involvement with the Primary Care Body, which represents the views of General Practitioners to other groups, such as Government of Jersey. Dr Minihane is one of the principal GP representatives in the development of Government Policy with respect to primary care. He has been a trustee for Silkworth Lodge since 2002.
• Michelle Ryan is currently Director of a local sustainability business, and a champion for patient voices, particularly through her work as co-chair for Jersey Maternity Voices. Ms Ryan has a finance industry background and is currently chair for Jersey Association of Sustainability Practitioners and a non-executive director for Jersey Finance Limited.
• John Rogers is an engineer by background with significant experience in providing strategic, project and engineering advice, as well as the design and delivery of capital projects using best practice project management frameworks. Mr Rogers was previously Director General for Growth, Housing and Environment.

The Advisors will attend the New Healthcare Facilities Ministerial Group, which normally meets once per month, during working hours. The time commitment is expected to be approximately 15 days per year.

Clinical advisors

Meanwhile, Mr Jon Shenfine and Dr James Grose (pictured) will share the role of Clinical Advisor for the NHFP, providing on-Island medical leadership to support the NHFP team moving forward. Mr Shenfine and Dr Grose will work with all Health and Community Services and Government of Jersey colleagues to provide an appropriate brief for the new facilities and ensuring that any design provides the best configuration to support future healthcare delivery for the Island.

Mr Shenfine came to Jersey as a general surgeon with a background in specialist Oesophago-Gastric surgery, delivered in a variety of healthcare settings. He maintains an international academic role and has previously supported two new hospital moves in Australia. The second of these was for the new Calvary Adelaide Hospital – the largest private healthcare facility in the country, with approximately 350 beds and 16 operating theatres.

Before his move to Jersey in 2021, Dr Grose worked as the Clinical Lead for Palliative Medicine in St David’s Hospice in Newport and was a lecturer at Cardiff University. He is currently the Clinical Lead for Jersey Hospice Care and co-chairs the End-of-Life Care Partnership for the Island.

The Minister for Infrastructure, Deputy Tom Binet, said: “I am extremely pleased we have been able to attract such experienced advisors to act as critical friends to the Programme. The appointment of advisors is part of our ongoing commitment to transparency, clear decision making and rigorous governance. As we progress with the New Healthcare Facilities Programme, it is important that the programme team and Ministerial Group receives robust challenge.

“I am also very happy to welcome two very knowledgeable clinical advisors to the team. Their clinical experience and expertise will undoubtedly prove  extremely important as we begin to brief, design and deliver our multi-site facilities for future healthcare.”