Government calls out GSD’s political posturing

His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar notes the statement issued this afternoon by the GSD regarding the Gibraltar Health Authority.

The Government also notes that the Shadow Minister for Health, Ms Joelle Ladislaus, has chosen not to respond to an invitation extended by the Minister for Health, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, to meet with the GHA’s data team and examine staffing figures and elective surgical data in full.

Instead, Ms Ladislaus has chosen to continue to play politics. Her lack of interest in engaging with the facts suggests a preference for political posturing rather than a genuine understanding of the data.

Minister Arias-Vasquez is once again reiterating her invitation for Ms Ladislaus to meet with the team and go through all of the available figures.

The Government rejects the GSD’s narrative that the GHA is understaffed. That portrayal is not supported by the facts. The Minister has explained that staffing is covered—either through bank or agency arrangements—and that:

• 193 more nurses are employed now than under the GSD administration

• All relevant data has already been made public

• This has been explained in Parliament

• The strategy prioritises the employment of Gibraltarians in healthcare roles

Minister for Health, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said:

“It is true, and I have said this repeatedly, that there are vacancies within the GHA. These posts are, however, covered by agency or bank staff, and exist because we have a deliberate policy of prioritising the employment of Gibraltarians within the health service. As Gibraltarians qualify, they are being employed into these roles.

“It is disappointing that Ms Ladislaus has ignored my open invitation to sit with the GHA’s team to go through the facts together. That invitation was extended in good faith for the betterment of Gibraltar and its patients. It is now clear that she has chosen not to engage with the GHA team because she prefers to play politics.

I will nonetheless continue to extend the offer to meet with the GHA team to once again explain the position in detail to her.”