Decision before July on Guernsey cancer patient fees

"Tough decisions" need to be made on charging for emergency care

A decision on charging cancer patients for out-of-hours emergency care in Guernsey is expected during the first half of 2024.

Fees for cancer patients were briefly introduced by Guernsey's health service in 2022.

Public backlash including an online petition resulted in the decision being reversed, pending a review.

The review is ongoing but the Committee for Health and Social Care said "tough decisions needed to be made".

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.

• Cancer patients charged for emergency treatment

• Decision to charge cancer patients reversed

• Emergency Department charges rise by up to 27%

The committee said the aim of the original decision was to "treat all patients fairly" and ensure "health equality for all".

But it acknowledged the "strength of feeling from the community" after the change was made.

The committee said it expected to have made a decision on it's review "during the first half of this year."

Adding that while it remained "committed to providing services that are equitable for all patients", difficult decisions would need to be taken as it sought to "balance the expectations" of islanders with the "challenging financial position".

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