His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar notes the statement issued yesterday evening by the Gibraltar Disability Society. The Government is thankful for the tone of its recent statements and considers the Disability Society, ably led by Debbie Borastero, to be entirely apolitical. The Government recognises the sole aim of the Society is to advance the interests of individuals with disabilities in Gibraltar.

The Government’s decision not to respond immediately to the Society’s initial statement issued on 7th November was based on the fact that it was addressing matters which, as they put it, were based on rumour. The Government also did not want to publicly state some of the inaccuracies contained in the Disability Societies statement.

HMGOG wishes to reassure the Disability Society that its position on the Health and Care restructure remains as outlined by Minister Arias-Vasquez in previous meetings with them.

The Government’s position on the proposed Health and Care restructure has also been presented publicly by Minister Arias-Vasquez, including most recently during her response in Parliament last month to Question 814/2024. At that time, Minister Arias-Vasquez outlined the extensive stakeholder consultation process undertaken as part of this restructure, which included meetings with Unite the Union, the GGCA, and other relevant stakeholders, including Heads of Service within the Care Agency. The Government would have liked to have been in a position to share the proposed new legislation with the Unions already, but final amendments are being made to the draft legislation following feedback received by the CEO of the Care Agency and the GHA Director General.

Minister Arias-Vasquez is, and will continue to be, available to meet with the Disability Society to discuss any concerns, queries, or suggestions and remains open to providing clear explanations of Government policy when required. The Disability Society know this and the Government encourages them to reach out to Ministers for answers before issuing public statements based on rumour.

Additionally, the Government notes the Disability Society expressed the view of Ms. Celia Chartes-Aris, an advisor to the Government on disability, as being in line with that of the Disability Society in relation to her position on the proposed merger of the GHA and Care Agency. Ms Chartes-Aris has reached out asked the Government to publish the below quote on her behalf:

“It was a pleasure to meet with the Disability, care, and health-related NGOs and charities in Gibraltar during my visit this summer whilst working with the SNDO office to assist in the development of the revolutionary Disability Strategy, which will further enhance the rights, accessibility, inclusion, and progress of Disability in Gibraltar, championed by the Government. During a conversation with the Gibraltar Disability Society, it was a pleasure to discuss the importance of the Medical and Social Models of Disability in relation to the perceptions of Disabled people. However, an opinion on the proposed merger was never expressed; the statement is inaccurate and false, and disappointing to see given the fruitfulness of the conversation in ensuring the voices of Disabled organisations remain at the heart of the strategy.”

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “The Disability Society knows that I am always available to meet with them to address any concerns or suggestions they may have. It is therefore disappointing that, on this occasion, they have chosen to issue a public statement regarding the proposed health and care restructure, based on rumour, despite my reassurances that ‘nothing had changed since our previous conversation.’ Nevertheless, I have asked my office to reach out to the Disability Society to arrange a meeting where I can personally address all of their questions. I hope this will provide clarity and alleviate any concerns they may have. As I have stated repeatedly, every decision I take is focused primarily on the interests of our service users. I always ask myself  ‘what if this person were a family member of mine?’. I therefore look forward to meeting with Debbie and her colleagues at the Disability Society to discuss all of this directly with them in the interests of all our service users.”

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The answer to Parliament Question 814/2024 was as follows:

Madam Speaker,

Since I announced the Government’s plans for a consultation process regarding a Health and Care restructure, I have met regularly with both Unite the Union and the GGCA as well as other relevant stakeholders, including the Heads of Service of the Care Agency.

The consultation process has allowed for extensive engagement with all stakeholders on the Government’s proposal. These discussions have focused on the planned restructuring of our health and care services which aim to enhance patient care and efficiency in our health service. This year, the Government has invested £211 million in our health and care sector and, with these proposed changes, we want to ensure the taxpayer receives the best value for money.

The Government has taken into account the feedback received from the meetings with the Unions and stakeholders and we are prepared to adjust the proposed changes accordingly, ensuring the best outcome for both patients and staff. This is something I have repeatedly told the Unions and the stakeholders throughout my meetings with them over the summer.

The consultation period for the proposed restructure is now coming to an end and I have agreed with both Unite the Union and the GGCA that I will be sending them the final draft of the new proposed legislation in the coming days.

I will also then meet with them to discuss the proposed legislation before bringing it to this House.

I would like to take this opportunity, Madam Speaker, to publicly thank Unite and the GCCA for the way in which they have approached this consultation and the professionalism with which these meetings have taken place.