No hospital contract 'until fair deal agreed'

Jersey's health minister said he has not signed a deal with a contractor to build a new hospital on the island because he wanted to make sure it would provide a "fair deal" for islanders.

It was announced in November that international company Bouygues was the preferred main contractor on the planned £710m Overdale Acute Hospital.

Deputy Tom Binet told ministers the government had made "significant progress" but to secure an agreement on a tender to build the hospital needed "careful, detailed consideration".

He said he would only complete the tender process when he was satisfied the terms would give value for taxpayers money.

A planning application for the site was approved in February 2025 with figures released by the treasury and resources minister that revealed the cost of developing the hospital and its related healthcare facilities had reached £204.2m since 2012.

The proposals for the hospital would include an emergency department as well as radiology and maternity services.

Binet said along with planning permission, funding had been identified with development work under way and "continuing in earnest".

He said the project was "on a more advanced footing than any previous hospital scheme".

The island has had two failed planning applications for a hospital on Gloucester Street.

Binet said: "As with any live and confidential tender process, it is essential that commercial discussions are conducted carefully and responsibly.

"As minister for Health and Social Services, I will complete this process only when satisfied that the terms deliver a fair, balanced and sustainable agreement in the best interests of both parties, but especially Islanders."

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