This content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost. Let us know if you find any major problems.
Text in this format is not official and should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments. Please see the PDF for the official version of the document.
1240/5(6684)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 31st JANUARY 2012
Question
Will the Minister inform members how many recipients of Income Support have been charged since 2008 for GP consultations instead of having clinical components and special payments?
Answer
General Practitioners (GPs) are responsible for the charges levied for consultations. The Income Support system acknowledges the cost of GP visits in three separate ways:
- The living component provided for each adult and each child in an Income Support household incorporates an allowance to pay for up to four GP surgery visits per person per year.
As at 31 December 2011, 11,438 Income Support participants were eligible for a living component including an allowance towards their GP costs.
- If anyone in the Income Support household has a medical condition that requires more than four GP visits per year, an additional clinical cost component can be paid at one of two rates:
Five to eight visits per year - £156.52 per annum Nine to twelve visits per year - £313.04 per annum
As at 31 December 2011, 2,224 Income Support participants were eligible for a Clinical Cost component towards their additional GP costs.
- Special Payments are also available to help those who need additional visits on a case-by- case basis.