New Reciprocal Health Agreement To Go To States

Wednesday, 1 June 2022 12:58

A new reciprocal health agreement negotiated with the British government will be debated by the States at their July meeting, enabling islanders to access free NHS emergency care.

The previous agreement ended in 2009 and since then there's been little appetite from the British government to enter into a new one with Guernsey.

Policy and Resources has been holding discussions with the British government and as a result a draft Policy Letter has just been approved.

P&R vice president, Heidi Soulsby, says it'll go to the States at their July meeting, although there are some minor details to agree.

She says the UK's exit from the EU has helped the negotiations:

"Previous UK governments haven't been interested. I think the opportunities around Brexit when new agreements need to be negotiated have really helped us. It's been very positive from the UK government in wanting to do this with us. We've obviously pushed it forward and both sides were willing so that's why we've got to where we are now."

Deputy Soulsby says the agreement, if accepted by the States, will allow islanders travelling to the UK and who become unexpectedly ill, or have an accident, to receive free medical treatment on the NHS. And because it's reciprocal, she says the same service will be offered to UK visitors here:

"The arrangement will be like a knock for knock basis, the UK won't charge Guernsey visitors and vice versa. The one thing we wanted to work through is to make sure we have a simple arrangement that didn't cause a lot of administration and bureaucracy."

Deputy Soulsby says it will also give certainty over costs to Health and Social Care for planned treatment.