Guernsey medical practice 'remains an ambition' for Co-op

Monday 15 April 2019

The CI Co-operative Society wants to enter the primary care market in the future, however its Chief Executive said there are no obvious expansion opportunities at this time.

Co-op bosses have said for a number of years that they would be keen to explore opening a GP practice in Guernsey.

The Co-operative Medical Care has proved popular in Jersey since acquiring two established practices in 2014. The practice in Jersey currently charges £39 to see your doctor and offered reduced rates for 5-18 year olds and free consultations for under 5s. 

Chief Executive Colin MacLoed said they still harboured ambitions to open a practice in Guernsey. However, there has not yet been a natural opportunity to enter the market. 

“The Society has made no secret of its intention to enter the Guernsey medical practice market in the future," he said. "That ambition remains as true today, particularly given the dramatic impact that our entrance has had on the cost of primary care to Islanders in Jersey. 

"We are working to fully integrate medical within our structures prior to looking at expansion opportunities in Guernsey. However, we are aware that the shape of the Guernsey market is different and, as such, the entrance model we deployed in Jersey would not be replicable in Guernsey.'

Pictured: Co-op Chief Executive Colin MacLoed.