The GSD says it notes the recent statement by the Minister for Health and Care, Gemma Arias-Vásquez, which it says “appears to respond” to its own statement on the establishment of an independent body to regulate the health and care sector. 

A statement continued: “We find the Minister’s remarks misplaced, given that the GSD’s statement was not directed at the Government but at the people of Gibraltar, setting out clearly one of our key policy commitments in this important area. 

“It is clear that the Minister has taken our position on board and felt compelled to respond. However, we must remind the public that her predecessor made similar promises about this very same commission, promises which, years later, have still not materialised. By the Government’s own admission, they are only 50 percent there after 14 years in office. That simply is not good enough. Fourteen years is more than enough time for the Government to deliver on such a fundamental reform. 

“The reality is that after 14 years in office there has been no tangible progress in the creation of an independent body to regulate, inspect or monitor the quality of care within Gibraltar’s health and care sector, nor any clear details of how the Government intends to set this up or how it would function in practice. 

“A GSD Government would make this a priority, not only to get it right but to get it done. A new GSD administration would not take 14 years to be only halfway there on such a fundamental reform. Minister Arias-Vásquez is not part of a new Government; she forms part of the same GSLP-Liberal administration that has been in office for 14 years, has made these promises before, and still has not delivered. 

“In the meantime, we will continue to press for this much-needed reform. Should the Government eventually bring it forward, we will examine the proposal carefully to ensure it contains all the necessary provisions to function effectively and deliver both efficiently and meaningfully, with quality of care, service users, and those who deliver this care at the heart of it.”

Shadow Minister for Care, Atrish Sanchez, said: “This is about independently regulating the health and care sector. It is also about building public confidence and trust, improving accountability, and not only improving the quality of care but supporting those who work extremely hard and under demanding circumstances to provide these services and care every single day. This is about our community, not politics. If the model developed is right for Gibraltar, improves the quality of care, and meets our community’s needs, we will, of course, support it. Our focus is, and will remain, on achieving real improvements for our people and for Gibraltar.”