A digital health diary revisited

A digital health diary (revisited)

A year on from this essay and I thought I should have a look and see what is happening in health, digital and innovation in Jersey according to those projections:

https://www.jerseycardiologist.com/blog-posts/digital-health-diary-jersey

1 In 2025, a health strategy vision is published by the Government of Jersey with a strong focus on preventative medicine using digital health technologies as the enabler.

This is close – a preventative health and digital delivery plan has been drawn up for government approval as part of the Island Regeneration Programme (Project Breakwater). The full health strategy however is yet to be published https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdde3e3878mo

2 The strategy identifies Jersey’s opportunities to become a high-class health destination bringing new incomes to the Island.

Not much progress on advertising our health service but small number of patients are starting to come to Jersey for private healthcare. Health’s poor website still sits buried under Jersey Government https://www.gov.je/Health/Pages/default.aspx

3 A clinically led, arms-length organisation is created called Health Jersey to deliver healthcare on Island, supported by selected government services as enablers.

This has started – a new health structure including public health has been formed and renamed Health Care Jersey. Digital services and workforce functions are yet to decentralise https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87dpxnev4lo

4 A workforce plan is developed to fundamentally reform healthcare worker’s pay and conditions so that the Island becomes the go-to destination for high quality staff demoralised by the NHS.

The workforce plan is under development and the recent scrutiny report has recommended completion by the Summer 2025. Pay reform still to be determined and debated https://statesassembly.je/news/scrutiny-concerned-with-business-case-for-new-healthcare-facilities

5 Alongside this, the new hospital facilities project is fast tracked through a new ‘light-touch’ planning process with additional capacity to provide health tourism on Island.

Plans were approved for the new acute facility at Overdale in February 2025. Plans are under development for the Kensington Place and other health village sites https://www.gov.je/news/2025/pages/AcuteHospitalPlanningApplication.aspx

6 Private medicine becomes a rapid growth field and with diminishing waiting lists, the health of Islanders starts to improve.

This is under development with a new private income manager and website: https://www.gov.je/Health/Hospitals/HospitalDepartments/JerseyPrivatePatients/pages/home.aspx

7 In 2026, thanks to a coalition of local digital experts and with Government funding, a software platform called The Jersey Care Record is created providing Islanders with free access and control over their healthcare data.

We don’t seem to be any further forward with this, but a new Digital Health CTO appointed and digital health board formed which should help push this to the top of the ‘must-do’ agenda for 2026.

8 A dedicated intellectual property service for digital health technologies is established alongside the first of many new digital health data warehousing and analysis services.

Not much progress. There has been a disappointing attempt recently to land the first of these: “Data for Good” https://www.dataforgood.global

9 In 2027, the Island Medical School is founded working alongside a famous UK University partner to create new ways of teaching doctors and other health staff in Jersey.

Exciting developments – discussions are underway and there is a keen UK medical school looking to partner and create the Island Medical School in Jersey www.islandmedicalschool.com

10 A culture of questioning, research and learning is encouraged across the Island backed up by the launch of the Jersey Research Foundation.

The JRF has launched and given out its first grants which have already had a local impact on clinical services www.jrf.je

11 The Island develops its global image as a financial centre for altruism and new private wealth funds are established to redistribute personal and institutional wealth to appropriate projects and causes.

Jersey Finance reporting over 460 Jersey Foundations https://www.jerseyfinance.je/jersey-the-finance-centre/sectors/private-wealth/

12 In 2028 the Jersey Care Record expands to provide all Islanders with a digital copy of their individual DNA data. This is held securely under patient control but can be selectively shared when required.

Not much development but growing global interest in citizen owned DNA data and whole genome analysis https://www.england.nhs.uk/genomics/nhs-genomic-med-service

13 By 2030 the preventative programme is starting to have its effects and the health needs of Islanders reduce. Free electric buses have been introduced backed up by cycle and scooter paths, and a pedestrianised town centre. Exercise is normalised and expected.

This vision fits with the idea of Jersey becoming “The Island of Longevity” www.longevity.je The first Island of Longevity meeting is on 21st May 2025: https://www.islandtickethut.com/event/island-of-longevity-conference

So, in conclusion, there has a been a lot of positive action in the last year, in particular the formation of a new digital board (akin to HealthX), a preventative and digital programme under debate and an upcoming longevity meeting. There is still much to do but momentum is growing.

ARM