Cancer patients in Guernsey charged for emergency treatment

The change in policy "will impact some of the most vulnerable people in Guernsey"

Guernsey's health service has been criticised for charging cancer patients for out-of-hours emergency care.

The decision "will impact some of the most vulnerable people in Guernsey", said Deputy Peter Roffey.

The government said the policy had been changed so all life-limiting and chronic illnesses are treated the same.

Deputy Peter Roffey said he would raise the issue in the States to try to get the policy reversed.

Previously, patients with illnesses such as heart disease and kidney failure were charged an attendance fee as well as a treatment fee.

However, cancer patients could be seen at the Emergency Department free of charge.

The change in policy means they will now be charged for treatment, but will continue to have their attendance fee waived.

Deputy Peter Roffey said the decision was "clearly controversial" and would force islanders on modest incomes, receiving chemotherapy, to make difficult decisions.

Sue Ryde says her husband Gavin had to go to the Emergency Department six times in six months during chemotherapy treatment for stomach cancer.

She explained that many people undergoing chemotherapy and suffering from cancer find it difficult to work which affects their income.

She said: "The fear of charges going into the Emergency Department just adds to the stress they already have because of the cancer."

Mrs Ryde warned that people will be put off seeking help when they need it.

She described the change in policy as "a reduction in the service dressed up as equality".

Deputy Al Brouard, President of the Committee for Health and Social Care, wrote to Deputy Peter Roffey to confirm the change in policy.

He said: "Whilst we recognise that many would support a National Health Service free at the point of delivery and access for all, this would require a fundamental shift in funding mechanisms which is not how we are structured at this point in time."

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