Bailiwick signs reciprocal health agreement with UK
BAILIWICK residents will once again be entitled to free healthcare in the UK from the start of next year, after the two jurisdictions signed a reciprocal agreement in London yesterday.
The reinstatement of such a health arrangement after a 14-year hiatus was welcomed by Policy & Resources Committee president Deputy Peter Ferbrache, who signed it on behalf of the Bailiwick.
‘A new reciprocal health arrangement has been a priority for many in Guernsey for some years, both politically and within the community, due to the social and economic links between the Bailiwick and the UK,’ he said.
‘The new arrangement will bring great benefits to residents of both the Bailiwick and the UK, making travel easier in both directions for family, business and leisure purposes.’
Residents from each jurisdiction will be able to access medically necessary healthcare free of charge while they are visiting the other, if that treatment cannot wait until the individual returns home.
Minister of State for Health Maria Caulfield, who signed the agreement on behalf of the UK, described it as a ‘landmark healthcare deal’, allowing Bailiwick residents to access urgent or necessary healthcare when visiting the UK.
‘None of us can plan for unexpected medical emergencies, so I am delighted that those travelling from the Bailiwick have this additional peace of mind when they travel to the UK,’ she said.
The absence of such an agreement has frequently been cited as a deterrent to UK residents visiting the islands.
In 2019 there were 187,456 UK visitors to Guernsey and 435 visits to the Guernsey emergency department by UK visitors.
They were charged a total of £292,000.
Guidance notes on the new RHA are being developed in collaboration with the UK government’s Department for Health and Social Care to inform residents, visitors and healthcare providers on the details of the new arrangements.
The islands of the Bailiwick have been working to a deadline of mid-September to get the agreement in place, because it was required to be put before the UK parliament by December for approval.
