Organ donor memorial at new hospital approved

A proposal for a public memorial to organ donation at the future new hospital has been approved by States members.

The proposal was brought by deputy Lucy Stephenson who said she wanted to see it funded by the Percentage for Art Scheme which requires developers to incorporate public art into their projects.

The States of Jersey said the Council of Ministers accepted the proposition to ensure a public memorial to organ donation is provided as part of the planning commitments of the Acute Hospital, Overdale or any following developments.

It added ministers recognised that organ and tissue donation saves and transforms lives.

The States of Jersey said the new hospital includes a commitment to public art and is developing a Therapeutic Arts Strategy (TAS).

Ministers understand it is appropriate for organ donors to be recognised through a memorial at the Acute Hospital as part of the broader TAS for the project, it said.

It added there was emphasis that an initiative of this nature needed to be handled with sensitivity to make sure it was both impactful and respectful.

The States said it didn't want it to be intrusive or distressing for current patients who may be facing life-changing or life-threatening conditions.

Ministers are confident the Programme's Arts Advisor would deliver the memorial sensitively and appropriately having successfully integrated organ donation memorials into healthcare arts strategies in the past, the States said.

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].