Cost of GP visit to be reduced by £20 for all Islanders

Social Security Minister Elaine Millar. Picture: ROB CURRIE. (35922819)

THE cost of face-to-face GP appointments will be reduced by £20 for all Islanders from tomorrow, the Social Security Minister has announced.

Deputy Elaine Millar said she hoped that free GP visits would also be available for children as soon as July.

The new scheme – which doubles the current subsidy for a GP visit – has been developed to help Islanders with the rising cost of living.

Practices will also be paid an additional £5 per consultation to support them with the increased costs of running their businesses.

Telephone consultations with other health professionals, such as nurses or health care assistants, will continue to be supported by other Health Insurance Fund agreements and not by this new scheme, meaning the cost to the patient will remain the same.

Deputy 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.

‘This new contract doubles the subsidy for a GP surgery visit. As the cost of living continues to be a challenge, it is important that we continue to make positive changes to support Islanders and make it easier for them to access the care they need.’

She added: ‘In addition, my team are also working with the GPs to provide free services for all children. Our aim is to have this in place for July and I look forward to announcing the details of this scheme.’

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