ISLANDERS receiving income support or Pension Plus benefits will receive a £2 reduction in GP fees, the Social Security Minister has announced.
Almost 10,000 Islanders are to benefit from improvements to the Health Access Scheme (HAS), which come into force with immediate effect.
The changes, which apply to all members of an income support household and those receiving Pension Plus, apply to face-to-face adult consultations in GP surgeries and remote consultations provided by GPs, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and health care assistants.
The new fees are £10 for a GP, £7 for a nurse, paramedic or pharmacist and £4 for health care assistants. There are no charges for children. All other fees for out-of-hours and home visits remain the same as the 2020 rates for a further 12 months.
Social Security Minister Lyndsay Feltham said she was encouraged to hear how the current scheme was making a difference to patients, adding: “I recognise the ongoing financial pressures that many Islanders are facing, so it’s important that we provide further support and act to make a difference where possible. I am also focused on making further improvements for patients and look forward to sharing more details over the coming weeks to help more Islanders with the cost of their GP appointments.”
Bryony Perchard, from the Primary Care Body, which represents GPs in Jersey, said they were very pleased to work with the Social Security team to renew the HAS, and welcomed the minister’s further reduction to patient fees.
“This will ensure there is ongoing affordable access to primary care and that this remains an ongoing priority,” she said.
