Free GP visits for vulnerable Islanders?

Wednesday 16 July 2014

Jersey's Consumer Council is calling for reduced doctor fees for the under 5’s, the chronically ill and the elderly.

The Council recently held a number of focus groups to find out what people think about the Island’s health care, and the cost of using it.

Many who took part said the health system is likely to get clogged up and abused if doctor’s appointments are completely free, but more should be done to help vulnerable Islanders and they shouldn’t have to pay for their prescriptions.

The Council is now urging the Island’s health care providers to consider means testing to help those groups.

The focus groups discussed how some Islanders think it is their right to use A&E instead of paying to go and see a GP.

Consumer Council Chairman Advocate Rose Colley said: “We were overwhelmed by participants honesty, raw emotion and contribution in each group, the qualitative results are enlightening and will undoubtedly be invaluable to those in decision making roles as the Primary Healthcare Sustainability Project progresses.”

The Council used an independent research consultancy to run the focus groups which were made up of Islanders of all different ages and circumstances.