It has launched its 2027 subscription campaign and responded to subscription data which indicates that the majority of those currently taking advantage of the scheme are of the older generation, with children’s coverage comparatively lacking.
‘Unfortunately, accidents and sudden illness can happen to anyone,’ said chief ambulance officer John Atkins.
‘So for those families, for those parents, we just want them to sit around the table this evening and just have the conversation. Can we afford not to subscribe? If we spend this money now, we’ve got that peace of mind for the whole of the next 12 months.’
A subscription to cover a child for the coming year will cost £35. For an adult, it will be £75, and £53 for senior citizens. The adult rate has risen by £4, with increases of £3 and £2 for the senior citizens’ and children’s rates respectively.
‘Inevitably, cost of living has gone up, and actually, medical inflation has gone up faster than the normal RPI has. So, we’ve had to add a moderate increase to the fees,’ said Mr Atkins.
‘It’s not a lot, but I understand everybody’s having to tighten their belts. But the key point for me is having the peace of mind for the next 12 months. If you need an ambulance and you’re not a subscriber, that’s £610. So it’s a big difference.’
Records have shown that a quarter of local ambulance call-outs are for people who are not covered.
Those who have cover will be covered across 2027 for five frontline ambulance call-outs, five trips with the Flying Christine marine ambulance and 10 trips with the non-emergency patient transfer service.
In addition, any medical services provided while on board also fall under the terms of the cover.
‘It’s more than just a transport vehicle,’ said Mr Atkins. ‘We have very highly competent, highly skilled healthcare professionals working for this service. Registered clinicians, registered paramedics who can administer a range of life-saving treatments. They can give a whole range of different drugs and other medicines.’
The subscriptions are now available to purchase via the service’s new online payment system at ambulance.gg/charges-subscriptions, or in-person at Guernsey Post branches.
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