The way social care is delivered in the Channel Islands looks set for a shake up.

A review will take place in Guernsey in May to debate the future direction and provision of health care in Guernsey, Alderney and Herm.

Sark is not affected as it doesn't fall in the same remit as the other islands. 

The review, conducted by the Health and Social Services Department (HSSD), looks set to predict what the future population of the islands would require, and how the higher number of social care jobs that will be required could be financed.

It is widely expected that the islands will follow the UK's lead and increase investments into the prevention of illnesses that arise from such things as obesity and smoking, as opposed to treating them when they do occur.

The current population demographic of the islands is ageing and putting on weight, something the new measures aim to combat.

HSSD minister, Hunter Adam, told BBC News what it plans to achieve with the new measures, saying: "With regard to both health and social care, we hope that by improving prevention and initial support and care, then problems do not develop or are 'nipped in the bud' rather than requiring more intensive intervention at a later stage."

The talks look set to outline a plan that runs until 2020 and beyond. Adams told ChannelOnline.tv of the plan's longevity. "We have called this process our 2020 Vision and it will help the HSSD and the States to decide what actions need to be taken to enable people to live healthy, independent lives," he said.

"The department aims to predict what the future population will need from its health and social care services and to consider how these services can be paid for, as the proportion of working age Bailiwick residents reduces."