Minister considering charges for certain health services

Health Minister Tom Binet says the health service faces financial pressure

Jersey's Health Minister has told the States Assembly he is considering bringing in charges for people to use certain health services.

Deputy Tom Binet was responding to a question on the rising cost of home and nursing care in the island from Deputy Karen Wilson.

He said the whole sector is facing rising costs and increasing needs for funding as treatment costs go up.

The minister said they would have to have a discussion with the public about what the service should look like the future and how much people would be prepared to contribute for it.

'Properly funded'

Speaking outside the States Assembly, Deputy Binet told BBC Jersey "we have to be honest with the public" and "we already have a deficit to take care".

He added: "There will be at some point a public consultation and we're going to make a range of suggestions to put to the public and then discuss it from there."

The Health Minister also said "everyone wants their area of concern to be properly funded" but "life expectancy has gone up and there's usually a period of ill health that has to be accounted for".

He confirmed any possible charges would be determined by the public consultation, out later this year.