Discussion meeting on healthcare – moving from treatment to prevention

On 30 October 2025 the Policy Centre Jersey held a discussion meeting, on moving healthcare from a concentration on treatment to greater emphasis on prevention. Kate Wright, a member of the Centre’s Committee of Management, chaired the meeting. Chris Edmond, an Occupational Physician, Health Minister Deputy Tom Binet and Dr Patricia Tumelty, Executive Director of Mind Jersey, made initial comments.  There then followed an open discussion under the Chatham House rule.

Following is a summary of the discussion

• Primary prevention is stopping problems arising initially, secondary prevention is catching illness early and tertiary prevention is treating people who are ill.
• Illness has a huge adverse impact on the economy.
• In Jersey people are living longer but not healthier. Diseases such as obesity, mental health, diabetes and dementia are partly preventable.
• We don't give people the tools to help them live healthy lives.
• We have taken a disease specific approach to prevention, but the same risk factors such as sedentary lives and poor diets cause many of the problems.
• We need to do more than simply deal with the specific problem but get people back to where they were so they can do their jobs properly – optimisation should be the aim.
• Health equity matters - everyone deserves the same quality of care, not just those who can afford “Premier League” recovery.
• We have an opportunity as a small island to be the best in the world using healthcare and other data.
• Major changes have been made in the organisation of healthcare in the last year. These will enable a more joined-up approach which is needed across mental health, housing, education and social care.
• Not all health problems are visible. Mental health is a growing problem which needs appropriate resources.  Community connection is medicine - loneliness and isolation are among our greatest health threats.
• There is an issue with the quality of Jersey’s water supply. We need to be better at measuring air and water quality.
• Delivering the necessary changes is not easy. There needs to be an agreed vision and sense of community. Singapore has shown how it can be done.
• Education is vital in changing behaviour and culture.
• Not all interventions costs money. Academic assessments are stressful and could be reduced.
• Jersey needs more green space and sporting facilities.
• Investments in prevention are often seen as simply a cost whereas a cost benefit analysis would show significant benefits.
• Compassion, belonging, and justice are not “soft” values - they are the infrastructure of a thriving, preventive health system.
  

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