Your reporting of Health & Social Care considering charging for operations and hospital stays is, in my view, a disaster for Guernsey residents. It is the worst possible news in terms of planning future healthcare needs for locals.
The news also comes soon after the admission by the Policy & Resources Committee that £42m. has been wasted on IT systems.
Making such announcements, as that which appeared on the front page of the Guernsey Press, causes me to feel genuinely concerned about the quality of thinking within our States of Deliberation.
The introduction of the States Insurance scheme and the addition of a contribution towards MSG costs is one thing, but to add a further charge for having had surgery and, very likely, other medical costs, is going to hurt many more families financially.
I have to ask Deputy (Dr) Oswald and his HSC committee what kind of planning has taken place and what level of consultation is being considered with the public. As residents, we cannot continue having to fund these unfair health costs when GP and dental costs are impacting already on patients. Not to mention the escalating long- term care bills, that should have been considered by the States last term.
Has no thought been given to adjusting the insurance contribution costs, to reflect the escalating HSC costs? By paying a regular, higher charge, that has been properly debated with local people, would be a far more acceptable way of meeting the HSC bill.
How will these additional costs affect current friendly society insurance schemes and also private insurance. The viability of such schemes will become untenable without proper discussion/consultation.
To come out and announce that charges were to be introduced by HSC is disgraceful and I also have to ask, who is running the show, is it HSC or MSG?
I would be much happier if an off-island independent review were to take place and its remit be based on consideration of all on-island medical costs.
I hope that the people of Guernsey support me in objecting to the unjust charges proposed as part of todays news.
Pierre J Herve
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