Islanders to pay less for GP appointments

The reduction applies to all face-to-face appointments, surgery consultations and home visits

Islanders will pay less for GP appointments after an increase in government support.

From Monday, the cost will be reduced by a further £10, meaning the overall subsidy for visits is £50.28.

The reduction applies to all face-to-face appointments, surgery consultations and home visits.

Deputy Lyndsay Feltham, the minister for social security, said the aim was to make sure there were no barriers to people getting the care they need.

In April, almost 10,000 people on the island saw their fees reduced by £2 as part of the Health Access Scheme (HAS).

'Early intervention'

Speaking about whether the government's latest move would make a difference, Deputy Lyndsey Feltham said: "I think every little helps".

She told BBC Radio Jersey: "The additional £10 reduction will encourage more people to not have to think twice before going to see a GP.

"[They can] get that early intervention, go and see the GP when they need to and help prevent longer term health issues into the future.

"The cost for this reduction will be £3.8m, which will be funded via the health insurance fund.

"That is the purpose of the fund, so that islanders can access primary care when they need it."

Deputy Lyndsay Feltham said the aim was to make sure there were no barriers to people getting the care they need

Deputy Feltham said she had "no concerns" about the future of the health insurance fund.

"It's funded by islanders' social security contributions.

"I have no concerns at the moment about the longevity of the fund, and am confident the additional expenditure is well targeted."

Gordon Callander, from the Primary Care Body, representing GPs in Jersey, said: "We welcome any government initiative that reduces costs to patients to ease any financial barriers especially to those most in need."