Children’s health services more affordable in 2022
HEALTH CARE for children will soon be more affordable with public money being used from savings being made by means-testing family allowances.
From 1 January, visits to the emergency department at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital will now cost £25 regardless of the treatment required, and the cost of visiting a GP has also dropped to £25, with nurse consultations costing £15.
A free annual dental check-up has also been introduced, along with free dental health education in schools.
‘The obvious advantage of means-testing is that it saves money for the public purse by not giving things to people who don’t really need them,’ said Deputy Peter Roffey, president of Employment & Social Security.
In 2020 the States approved that households with an annual income of over £120,000 would no longer be eligible for family allowance.
A flat rate of £14.80 is offered to each child under the age of 18, as long that they are still in full-time education and the family falls within the household income cap.
‘That in turn allows that cash to be spent on expanding help for those who do really need it. The current move to cap the income for qualification for family allowances, coupled with benefits like lower primary care costs for children, is a good example,’ Deputy Roffey added.
Payment will be required at the time of any appointment, regardless of whether or not the patient has medical insurance. Those claiming income support will continue to have their appointments paid for by ESS and so will not be required to provide payment.
‘However I would not take means-testing too far,’ Deputy Roffey said.
‘For instance I would not like the wealthy to be forced to pay for state education, or stays in hospital, or calling out the police, as I think these sort of things should be universally free at point of delivery in a civilised community. We all pay for them according to our means through taxation.’
He added that there were no plans to make any changes to any other benefits at this point.
Health & Social Care president Al Brouard said he was pleased to be able to provide subsidies for health care.
‘Income can be a barrier to accessing health services, so hopefully, by reducing the barrier, we can make health care more affordable, particularly for those with children and young people,’ he said.
