Guernsey Press

Pensioners choosing to stay ill over 'unaffordable' doctors' fees

UNAFFORDABLE doctors' fees mean  some islanders choose to stay ill, groups representing vulnerable users have said.

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It follows the announcement by the Channel Islands Competition Regulatory Authorities that it was to conduct a market study into primary care to ensure consumers were getting a fair deal.

Age Concern chairman Lester Queripel, pictured, was heartened to see a review would take place.

'So many pensioners struggle to pay medical bills, I can only hope they come up with the right result,' he said.

'I have heard of pensioners that, even though they feel unwell, still don't go to the doctors because they can't afford it – they just accept that they are going to have to feel unwell, which is a really sad approach to have to take in life when you get to that age.

'I welcome the study but there has to be a result that will be to benefit pensioners. Things can't just carry on as they are now.'

He said that if no action came as a result of the study he would be prepared to take political action, including a requete.

Guernsey Disability Alliance chairwoman Shelaine Green said the States' 2012 disability needs survey showed medical care was definitely a concern for the charities' members.

'In recent in-depth interviews with 300 disabled islanders who volunteered to take part in the survey, 18% said that cost put them off seeing their GP,' she said.

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