Cost of GP visit in Jersey drops by £20 to help with cost of living
Emma Volney looks at the impact of this latest change in GP costs
The price of visiting a GP in Jersey has been cut by £20 to help with the cost of living crisis.
People will now pay an average of £35 for an appointment from Thursday 1 June.
It is due to a government subsidy that has been agreed upon with all doctors' surgeries and will also see practices receive an extra £5 per consultation to help them with higher overheads.
The price changes only apply to appointments during normal opening hours and will not cover home visits, telephone consultations or out-of-hours services.
ITV Channel called every GP surgery in Jersey for their new appointment prices but with peak inflation set to hit 12.8% this year, will surgeries put up their fees again?
Jersey's Social Security Minister, Deputy Elaine Millar, says she is pleased about the changes and would like GPs to do their best to keep prices low.
"I would hope that doctors will use the money wisely to reduce patient costs and not increase their fees significantly," she explained.
"I mean obviously they will have cost of living pressures maybe next year. I think some of them increased their fees quite recently so I'd be disappointed to have more increases.
"As the cost of living continues to be a challenge, it is important that we continue to make positive changes to support islanders and make it easier for them to access the care they need."
Deputy Millar added that the government wants to provide free GP visits for children and hopes to have this in place for July.
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