Islanders in Guernsey could face a £10,000 upfront bill for their long term care
ITV Channel's Roisin Gauson breaks down how proposed policy hopes to keep up with increased demands for care in Guernsey
Broadcast Thursday 19 December
Islanders in Guernsey could soon be asked to contribute up to £10,000 towards long-term care in their old age.
It comes after forecasts that the long-term care fund - which is financed by Social Security payments and investments - could be exhausted by 2085.
It would leave many currently paying into the long-term care fund may be unable to benefit in the future.
The news follows the release of a new States of Guernsey policy letter entitled: 'The Need to Stabilise the Private Care Home Market and Incentivise Growth to Meet Demand'.
It hopes to raise enough money to keep up with increased demands for care.
From 2025, the rate islanders contribute to Long-Term Care is expected to rise as well as the rate of co-payment that those receiving it pay.
Over the next five years, the co-payments residents in long-term care pay are set to increase from £342.02 to £514 a week.
Politicians say an increase in the cost of delivering care and an ageing population is behind the proposed move.
The cost of running a care home has increased by up to 38% since 2018, and the States contributions haven’t kept pace.
Deputy Peter Roffey, President of Employment and Social Security, called the figures "really are quite frightening".
He explains: "In the next 30 years, we’re expecting a 128% increase in the number of islanders that are above age 85, which is the typical age for needing social care.
"Care homes need to make a market return on their investment in order for provision to be sustainable in the long term."
The Guernsey Care Managers Association has welcomed the plans which they say recognise the current underfunding. It says that the viability of private care homes is critical for the future provision of healthcare in Guernsey.
The association adds that without changes, there would be more reliance on hospital beds as an interim measure, which may lead to delays in surgery due to bed blocking.
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