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WQ.465/2021
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY
BY DEPUTY G.P. SOUTHERN OF ST. HELIER
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2021 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2021
Question
Will the Minister advise what measures, if any, are under consideration to extend the Health Access Scheme to other socially or clinically vulnerable groups of patients beyond those already included; and if this is not currently under consideration, will she explain why?
Answer
The Health Access Scheme was introduced in December 2020 following commitment from the Council of Ministers in the Common Strategic Policy 2018-2022 to improve access to primary care and a further commitment to support financially vulnerable people in the 2020 Government plan.
The Scheme aims to reduce the fees paid for general practice services. Under contract, General Practices have agreed to reduce charges for eligible people – for example adults pay £12 for a surgery consultation and child consultations are free of charge.
Members of Income Support households and Pension Plus recipients totalling 11,000 are captured on the Health Access Scheme. An assessment of the scheme following its first year of operation is underway and with the support of General Practice this assessment will include consideration of options to expand or develop the scheme in respect of the services offered and the groups of people included.