GP appointment hikes will hit vulnerable hardest

The rising cost of GP appointments will put islanders off seeing a doctor, leading to strain on other services, a leading health care charity claims.

It comes as the cost of a private GP consultation in Guernsey has risen to an average of £70.50 this year.

CareWatch chair Bella Farrell said she was concerned many vulnerable people would forgo seeking primary care because of the rise.

One medical group told the BBC that inflation, medical insurance and staff expenses had all contributed to the hike.

Ms Farrell warned rises may see more people "putting more pressure on secondary care services" which are fully subsidised by taxpayer.

She said: "We have got a really good primary care service in Guernsey.

"But if primary care isn't free at the point of access, people may use secondary care more and the impact on all taxpayers will be much more."

The States of Guernsey pays a £12 contribution towards the cost of a primary care GP appointment, which is the first port of call to getting assessed.

Residents may also be able to claim benefit during times of sickness on a case-by-case basis.

That compares to a government subsidy of £50.28 in neighbouring Jersey, where the average cost of an appointment is £33.

Medical groups on the island set their own prices for different services.

IslandHealth saw its standard GP consultation charge go up from £68 in 2024 to £72.

Dr Mike Long, chairman of IslandHealth said rising inflation, medical indemnity insurance and staff expenses all contributed to the hike.

He said the costs of new medical equipment, supplies and medications were also on the rise under "inflationary pressures".

He added: "We understand that the increased costs may be a burden for some, and we are always willing to work with our patients to find solutions that meet their needs."

Dr Mat Dorrian, from Queens Road Medical Practice, said insurance for medical staff and clinical supplies was "rising significantly".

"Sustainability of our services is a key priority, as is attracting the highest quality of staff to work in our team," he said.

"Our responsibility to our patients is to ensure that we maintain our services and a fundamental part of this is ensuring the financial viability of the practice."

He said Queens Road had a dedicated team working with patients who experienced difficulties in payment.

He added: "We can confidently state that access to GPs in Guernsey is significantly better than experienced in the NHS.

"We remain determined to ensure this continues, whilst being equally committed to assisting any patients who need help with payments to ensure they continue to get the medical care they need."

Charges for under-18s have remained static at £25.

The Healthcare Group were also contacted for comment on appointment cost rises.

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