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Guernsey’s Emergency Department to “simplify cost”

Guernsey’s Emergency Department to “simplify cost”

Friday 27 September 2024

Guernsey’s Emergency Department to “simplify cost”

Friday 27 September 2024


A simplified set of fees could mean increased charges when needing treatment at Guernsey's Emergency Department.

Health and Social Care has brought in new fee brackets, which it says is aiming to make it easier to understand the costs of an ED visit.

Previously, and until the end of September this year, patients were charged depending on a number of factors.

Your age, the time you visited ED, and the type of incident involved all played a part in how much the bill would be upon your exit, with extra charges for unsociable hours too.

Now though, HSC says it wants to make that process more simple, but that could mean higher prices for some of the most common types of treatment in the Emergency Department.

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A 'Category 1' visit will cost you £100 from next month.

This covers advice, and checking the basics like blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and oxygen levels. 

A 'Category 2' visit will now cost patients £250.

This is for anything that involves a little bit more specialist work such as scans, X-rays, and blood tests, or if pain relief is provided through an IV drip. 

These charges won't affect patients under the age of 18 though, as they will still be subject to a flat rate of £25 per visit.

This continues to be funded through a prior redistribution of Family Allowance.

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If you've been referred to the ED by a general practitioner, you will still be charged at the rates set out above, but if you're going back to the Emergency Department for something they've seen you for during the previous 72 hours, there won't be any additional charges.

For visitors from the UK and Jersey, there will be no charge as their care is covered under the reciprocal health agreement.

Visitors from New Zealand, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Australia, or Austria will be charged, plus a flat rate of £12 on top.

Deputy Al Brouard, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, said: “The new charging structure makes it fair and equitable for people to access emergency healthcare at any time of the day or night, with consistent pricing.

"By simplifying the charges and removing the time-based tariffs and attendance fees, we hope the charging structure will be easier to understand and no longer present a barrier to those who may have previously avoided attending ED during certain times because of the associated higher costs."

READ MORE...

Changes at ED and DPU from today

Emergency Department charges review will continue through 2023

Waiting times increase at ED gets busier

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