Channel Islanders may have to isolate for two weeks before Southampton Hospital treatment
Channel Island patients due to have treatment at Southampton hospital may be asked to self isolate for 14 days before attending, even if they have no Covid-19 symptoms.
New NHS England guidelines have been issued to hospital trusts for re-starting elective care.
Those awaiting care will also have to take a Covid-19 test within the 72 hours prior to their treatment in order to be allowed to enter the hospital.
This would mean at least a month of social isolation for Channel Island patients with two weeks prior to treatment and two weeks on their return.
But with only one active case in Guernsey and 27 in Jersey, some patients are questioning how useful it is to self isolate before leaving the island.
Les Bischard had to be air lifted from Guernsey to Southampton Hospital after having a heart attack on the 21 April.
He was fitted with a temporary stent but was told he needed to return for an MRI scan and most likely a triple-heart bypass the following month.
The 60-year-old says with Guernsey's minimal cases, self-isolation is not appropriate.
The States of Guernsey say they are currently clarifying the rules with Southampton hospital and are supporting the hospital's requests for coronavirus tests results.
The States of Jersey has also confirmed it is in regular talks with Southampton Hospital.