The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
WQ.136/2025
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
BY DEPUTY L.M.C. DOUBLET OF ST. SAVIOUR
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 24th MARCH 2025
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 31st MARCH 2025
Question
"Further to Written Question 118/2025, regarding charges for health services, will the Minister outline the criteria for classing a service as essential' and non-essential'?"
Answer
My understanding is the definitions of essential (or necessary) and non-essential health care services vary and can be context based (for example, decisions as to whether it is necessary to provide a service to a non- resident under a reciprocal health agreement as opposed to providing that service to a resident) or person specific (for example, the some treatments may be considered essential or non-essential based on a person's individual circumstances) or outcome specific (for example, in relation to the cost versus outcomes decision-making associated with the provision of high cost drugs and treatments).
As set out in my answer to WQ.118/2025, I am considering the potential introduction of new charges for non-essential services (or conversely not providing those services) but this work is in its initial stages and criteria to support decision-making have not yet been developed.
Furthermore, as set out in WQ.118/2025 any new charge for an existing service would be approved by the States Assembly prior to introduction in accordance with P.63/2003.