Former Health chief in visiting consultants call

CONSULTANTS should be brought to the island to treat locals on a more regular basis, according to a former Health minister.

Deputy Hunter Adam (pictured) was speaking about the eye-condition macular degeneration on a radio phone-in yesterday.

Deputy Adam said it was a balance of providing services on-island and cost-effectiveness.

'We will never be able to provide all forms of treatment on-island. But we have to look at what secondary and tertiary care we can provide. Patients themselves will appreciate the fact they can be seen on island and it could be cost-effective for Guernsey.'

Putting the total amount of money spent on health in Guernsey – which he defined as both direct States funding and what individuals pay for doctors and dentist visits – as around £300m. a year, he said a large amount of money was already expended on bringing consultants to the island. But it was money well used.