A local vet practice says delays in processing work permits have left it coping at half capacity for months.
Vetcare Centres, which has operated in Guernsey for more than 30 years, says it has had a difficult summer, with only two of its four full-time vet positions filled.
Director Zain Khan told Island FM the business has been waiting for two work permits to be processed, with one application dating back to the end of July.
In the meantime, it has had to bring in locum vets and cover their higher wages and accommodation costs:
"We're waiting for all the permits to be approved, spending an arm and a leg to get locums."
Mr Khan says this has affected continuity of care, with some clients - who have been loyal for years - choosing other clinics.
"We have lower capacity, which means we have a lot of patients and clients who are coming in, expecting to be seen but we have such a bare-bones team at the moment.
"Clients are saying, 'look, if there's no time, there's no space,' or they want to see the same people over and over again they say, 'I might have to look elsewhere,' which is a shame, because we've had some of these clients for years, if not decades."
On top of this, he says the two vets waiting to start full-time roles are now questioning whether they still want to, or can afford, to move to Guernsey:
"These are two relatively new graduates, which means every delay, they don't really have a pool of funds that they're sitting on that they can wait to start their employment.
Mr Khan says he has contacted the Population Management Office numerous times and the staff are polite but he believes the delays are unacceptable.
In mid-September, Home Affairs revealed the work permit backlog was close to 4,000 applications.
Committee President Deputy Marc Leadbeater said Population Management needed more resources to speed up the process.
The system is being reviewed.
Home Affairs told Island FM there is no standard processing time for applications.
Guernsey charity appeals after £700 worth of goods go missing
Search in Jersey for drone pilots who disrupted airport flying
Guernsey Museums report a 3% increase in visitor numbers
Sewage outfall fixed on Guernsey's east coast
Successful start to Guernsey Ports renewable heating oil conversion
Guernsey's Animal Shelter nurses oiled seabird
Home Affairs needs millions to maintain Guernsey's frontline services
New savings scheme for Guernsey children in care
Comments
Add a comment