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WQ.274/2019
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY
BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 18th JUNE 2019
Question
What measures, if any, does the Minister have under consideration to reduce the cost of primary care, including the cost of G.P. consultations and costs for those with high medical, social or economic needs; and when does the Minister expect to bring any such proposals to the Assembly?
Answer
The Council of Ministers has committed to improving access for vulnerable people as part of the Common Strategic Policy. This included a commitment to actively engage with GPs to develop and test new models of health care delivery.
I, my assistant Ministers and the Ministerial team from Health and Social Services have already taken part in a series of meetings with GPs to consider the scope of the work which must be undertaken. A stakeholder group of primary care practitioners and subject matter experts has been convened and will consider further the work that must be completed over the next couple of years. This group will explore options to support financially vulnerable islanders with primary care costs.
Additional funding will be required to widen the financial support available for primary care services. This must be weighed against recent Assembly decisions to increase allocations in other areas such as arts funding and climate measures in advance of the publication of the Government Plan. The overall level of future government income and expenditure will be set out in detail in the Government Plan, which is due to be published in July for debate by the Assembly in November.