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We should be getting reminders through the post this month, encouraging us to join or renew the ambulance subscription scheme.
It's an annual fee, which will cover the cost of any ambulance call out we may need to use if we're ill or have an accident during the next 12 months.
While anyone can sign up at any time, the organisers are hoping people will sign up during the new year.
As a member of the Supporters Scheme, local residents can help the St John Emergency Ambulance Service provide its essential services while also supporting the St John charity. In return, the organisers said members of the scheme will receive unlimited free emergency ambulance responses throughout the year, assessment and medical treatment from the island's paramedics or other qualified ambulance clinicians when needed and up to ten transfers by the non-emergency ambulance service under the instruction of a health care professional, if you can't travel by other means for treatment or a medical appointment.
There are different costs for people joining as an individual or as a family:
Anyone who is not a member of the Supporters Scheme will be charged for an emergency ambulance, which can cost up to £360 with other charges for paramedic treatment possibly being applicable to.
Chief Officer Ali Marquis said; “joining the scheme not only gives individuals peace of mind that in the unfortunate event of an emergency they will already be covered for the cost of an ambulance, but it also supports the ongoing work and development of the charity. Unlike the other emergency services in Guernsey we are not fully funded by the States of Guernsey. Our contract with the States covers 70% of the ambulance service costs, so we need to raise the additional income through the Supporter Scheme, charges and donations.”
Pictured: St John Emergency Ambulance service is among those involved in the ambulance subscription scheme.
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