Plans to charge patients for using Jersey’s only A&E department for non-urgent treatment have been put on hold.
As part of the 2026-2029 budget, Health Minister Tom Binet had proposed introducing fees of £77 for islanders and £97 for non-residents who went to Jersey General Hospital’s A&E when they could use a GP or a pharmacist instead.
However, an amendment brought forward by the Health and Social Scrutiny Panel asked for implementation plans to be presented to the States Assembly for final approval before they go ahead.
Binet agreed to bring more details to politicians on how it would work and the impact on patients and staff.
Health and Care Jersey estimated 14,000 patients a year used the emergency department for treatment which could be provided by their GP.
It was proposed people who could be “more appropriately” cared for in the community would be encouraged to seek the right healthcare and redirected to a pharmacist, GP or Jersey Doctors on Call.
If they still wanted to receive treatment in the emergency department, they would be charged for the treatment.
The panel said the amendment aimed to guarantee fees would only be introduced once assurances and safeguards were adequately developed, published and approved by the assembly.
It added while an in principle decision was reasonable at this stage, the current lack of “scoping and analysis work” meant it would be inadvisable for members to not debate or influence the introduction of fees.
Panel chairperson deputy Louise Doublet said: “The panel did have concerns about how patients might be impacted, about the health of people using the services, but also the staff.
“How do they make those decisions on who can access care in A&E and who can’t?”
Binet said he was happy to accept a move to give the assembly the chance to make checks before the proposals were put in place.
He added: “We did make it clear we wouldn’t be introducing any changes until we’re absolutely certain that it wouldn’t put anybody’s health at risk.”