No A&E charges for covid-19 patients

Wednesday 01 April 2020

The States have waived hospital fees for any patients treated at Guernsey's Emergency Department for symptoms of corona virus.

Deputy Heidi Soulsby announced the change at a media briefing earlier this week, when she also confirmed on-island testing for covid-19 is now up and running.

"No one must be prevented from getting the treatment they need because of cost," the President of Health & Social Care said. "However, please don't just turn up to the Emergency Department. It is really important that you telephone through first."

Pictured: Emergency Department charges.

Anyone presenting with symptoms and in need of emergency treatment is advised to contact the hospital on 725241 before heading up. If the situation is urgent, the patient should still call 999 and explain their symptoms to the operator.

Those who claim to have covid-19 symptoms so they can receive other treatment will still be charged. The committee is asking that patients be honest about their symptoms so resources can be allocated efficiently and staff are kept safe.

Many new measures have been introduced at the hospital over the past few weeks, with a new 'hot' ICU unit and a streaming system outside the Emergency Department, separating those that have symptoms of the virus from those that don't.

Pictured: President of Health & Social Care, Deputy Heidi Soulsby.

Deputy Soulsby visited the hospital with the President of Policy & Resources, Deputy Gavin St Pier, to see the work that had been undertaken.

"For me, it felt like the eve of battle," she said. "Preparations have been made, staff have been trained and the equipment is in place. We are as ready as we possibly can be for what is coming ahead.

"This will all be for nought if we don't follow Public Health advice on staying home."

Pictured top: The Princess Elizabeth Hospital.