91�ȱ�

A public consultation on the construction of a new hospital in Jersey has been delayed.

The Health Department submitted a pre-feasibility study to the Health Scrutiny Panel in February, which identified three potential sites.

However, the estimated cost of £400m has caused concern amongst the members of the island's ministerial oversight group, prompting a further review.

It was intended the public would be consulted on a chosen site in April.

'Biggest ever project'

Deputy Kristina Moore, the chair of the scrutiny panel, said: "We're no further advanced than we were back in February."

However, she said she fully accepted the justification for the delay.

"It is an enormous amount of money," she said. "It's the biggest project that has been undertaken in Jersey, so it's absolutely right that they get it right."

"A few months here will hopefully be of benefit both to the public purse and to the public in the end, when we receive our new hospital," she said.

Deputy Moore said she was satisfied the budget for the initial review would not be exceeded as a result of the delay.

The Health Department reported in its 2012 business plan that the Jersey General Hospital in St Helier needed to be entirely refurbished or rebuilt on a new site, in order to continue providing adequate care, as the current site was predicted to exceed its capacity.