Jersey GP appointment cost reduced by £20

The Minister for Social Security said the subsidy would make it easier for islanders to access the care they need

The cost of all face-to-face doctor's appointments in Jersey have been reduced by £20, the government has confirmed.

An agreement between GP's and the Government of Jersey was reached to help islanders with rising costs.

Practices will also receive £5 per consultation to combat inflationary running costs.

The Minister for Social Security said the subsidy would make it easier for islanders to access the care they need.

Deputy Elaine Millar said: "I am pleased that we have reached this agreement and have been able to tackle the cost of fees for GP appointments.

"I am grateful to the GPs for their support and implementing these changes over a challenging time frame."

'Need help most'

Costs for telephone consultations and consultations with other health professionals, such as nurses or health care assistants, will remain the same.

The scheme will not cover home visits, out of hours services or members of the Health Access Scheme (HAS) already paying a reduced fee of £12 for an appointment.

Head of poverty charity Caritas Patrick Lynch said HAS members, as part of the new agreement, should be provided with free healthcare.

"Those people still need to get £12 to see a GP, and they're the people who really need the help most at the moment," he said.

"These people can't afford to go so they often put off going to the GP... That's something we want to avoid."

Ms Millar confirmed the cost would be approximately £6m per year over an initial term of two years, supporting about 1,000 surgery visits per day.

She said the government also intended to provide free services for children by July.

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