Expert sought to control health department spending

Guernsey's health department aims to employ a finance professional to help it meet its budget commitments.

The Health and Social Services Department took the action after being criticised for overspending in 2009.

Mark Cooke, chief executive of HSSD, said there were significant financial challenges in resolving the situation over the next six months.

He said: "I am confident that these temporary measures will allow us to resolve these important issues."

Mr Cooke, who took up his role in February said he hoped to quickly recruit a senior finance professional, with experience in both the health and private sectors.

Some of the non-finance jobs currently undertaken by the finance staff have been "temporarily transferred" to other staff to stop them being a distraction.

In a message to all staff Mr Cooke asked for their "support over the coming months in dealing with the significant financial challenges ahead".