Guernsey minister hopeful for health deal with UK

Guernsey's health minister said he was hopeful a reciprocal emergency health care agreement between Guernsey and the UK would be reinstated by Christmas.

Deputy Hunter Adam said the fact that the UK and the Isle of Man reached a similar arrangement on Thursday was promising.

But he stressed that locals should always have insurance when travelling off island.

He said it was unlikely any agreement would cover the costs of repatriation.

Since the previous agreement ended in April 2009 treatment in Accident and Emergency departments in the UK has remained covered, but any care beyond that must be funded.