Healthcare in Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Healthcare in Jersey is provided by a range of publicly and privately owned providers. Health matters are overseen by the Department of Health and Community Services in the Government of Jersey.[1] The current Health Minister is Deputy Richard Renouf.[2]
Care at Jersey General Hospital is provided free at the point of use to most ordinary residents of Jersey and emergency care is provided to anyone. However, other services such as GP consultations are privately owned and a fee applies to use them.[3]
There is a Reciprocal Health Agreement with the United Kingdom, agreed in 2011.[4] It does not cover pre-existing or non-urgent conditions.[5]
There were two hospitals on Jersey dating from the 19th century: the General Hospital and St Saviour's Hospital.[6] An early 20th century cottage hospital, with buildings dating to the 1920s, was called the Jersey Dispensary and Infirmary and later the Jersey Maternity Hospital.[6] In the former children's ward two tile pictures depicting Christ receiving children and the Elf king and fairies decorated the walls.[7] The tiles made by Carter & Co. were designed by artist James Radley Young and signed by him 'J.R.Y. 1925'.[7] The hospital buildings are now the Le Bas Centre which continues as a healthcare facility.[6][8]
Healthcare system
Jersey operates a system of health cards. Anyone resident in the island for more than six months is eligible for a health card. Card holders are eligible for subsidised GP appointments and free prescriptions.[9]
Emergency care is available in the Emergency Department of Jersey General Hospital for free for anyone who needs it.[3]
Non-emergency care at the hospital is only available free to eligible persons. Pregnant women who are eligible can also get free maternity care and any baby born in Jersey, regardless of whether the parents are eligible, can get free postnatal care too. The following types of people — and their spouse, civil partner and dependent children — are eligible:[3]
- Jersey residents with a health card who are in employment, who receive a pension or who have lived in the island for 12 months
- Licensed-status residents
- Permanently Entitled-status residents employed in Jersey
- Permanently Entitled-status residents who have paid tax and social security for 30 years and are in receipt of a pension.
Long-term care is provided for a charge under the Long-Term Care (Health and Community Services Charges) (Jersey) Law 2012, unless they are receiving care for specified mental health reasons. Adults can apply for financial assistance from the Customer and Local Services Department under the Long-Term Care Scheme. Minors who are ordinarily resident can get this care free of charge.[3]
General Practitioners and Dentists are private organisations, so they charge fees for consultations.[3]
Bandages and dressings are not provided. Patients have to provide their own. Family Nursing and Home Care, a local charity which administers free at-home care, cannot cover the cost of dressings.[10]
Emergency care
Proposed reform
The Jersey Care Model (JCM) is the conceptual framework for organising the health system in Jersey. The model is based around a 'three-ring' model: Person-centred Care, Primary and Community Services and Specialist Services.[11]
Currently, the Government argues, too much treatment is focused on the hospital. For example, the Emergency Department receives patient visits that are not emergency visits. However, under its reform programme, there will be better self-care and preventative care. The following changes are proposed –[12]
- more preventative care
- community outpatient appointments
- long-term condition treatment through GP practices
- boost Island-wide care services through community and voluntary sector
- establish an Urgent Treatment Centre to take non-emergency care away from the Emergency Department
- more day surgery
- do more cancer treatment on-island