- Residents of the UK and the Bailiwick of Guernsey can access
free emergency and necessary healthcare when visiting either
territory from 1stJanuary 2023
- People planning to travel to Guernsey next year are
encouraged to take their UK Global Health Insurance Card which is
being expanded and improved post Brexit
- Minister of State for Health signs the arrangement
with Guernsey’s Chief Minister in central London
UK residents visiting the Bailiwick of Guernsey will benefit from
free necessary healthcare, and vice versa, after a landmark deal
was signed today (Wednesday 31stAugust).
The reciprocal healthcare arrangement - which comes into force on
1st January 2023 - will mean UK residents can access
emergency and necessary healthcare services for free in Guernsey,
Alderney, Sark, or Herm, when on a temporary visit lasting up to
six months.
Attendance at Accident and Emergency and urgent GP appointments
will be included in the new arrangement, while those with a
pre-existing condition will be able to receive necessary
treatment, like kidney dialysis or chemotherapy, if this is
arranged and agreed prior to travel. Small charges may apply for
services that people routinely pay for in the UK, such as
prescriptions.
The UK’s new reciprocal healthcare eligibility card – the Global
Health Insurance Card (GHIC) - will be the main eligibility
document used to access healthcare in Guernsey. Those planning to
travel to Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, or Herm next year are being
encouraged to take their GHIC with them.
Around 200,000 UK residents visit the Bailiwick of Guernsey each
year, and they are currently individually liable for the full
cost of medically necessary or emergency care while visiting the
territory.
Minister of State for Health said:
"Post Brexit we are focussed on delivering deals which mean UK
travellers can use their GHIC in more places, including in the
Bailiwick of Guernsey where UK visitors will receive free
healthcare should they need it during their visit.
“None of us can plan for unexpected medical emergencies, and I
want to encourage anyone planning to travel to Guernsey next year
to take their GHIC so they get all the benefits of this
deal.
"This arrangement will help both residents of the UK and those
across the Bailiwick of Guernsey, and is testament to the
strength and close cooperation across the British family."
Residents from the Bailiwick of Guernsey will also be able to
access necessary healthcare when visiting England, Scotland,
Wales, and Northern Ireland on the same basis as someone living
in the UK.
Health authorities from the Bailiwick will also be able to refer
patients to the NHS for pre-authorised treatment at cost,
allowing them to source vital and urgent healthcare not available
locally.
Chief Minister of Guernsey, Deputy Peter Ferbrache
said:
“I’m very pleased to have today signed a new reciprocal health
arrangement with the UK on behalf of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
It has been a priority for our community for some years, due to
the social and economic links between the UK and the Islands of
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm.
“When it comes into effect early next year it will benefit both
island residents and visitors from the UK, making travel easier
whether it's for leisure, business or to see family and friends.”
Following our departure from the European Union, the UK is now
negotiating reciprocal healthcare arrangements with countries
outside of the EU. This includes expanding the GHIC to countries
outside of the European Economic Area and Switzerland, like the
Bailiwick of Guernsey.
The GHIC was introduced to gradually replace European Health
Insurance Cards (EHIC), and gives UK residents' rights to
emergency and medically necessary healthcare in multiple
territories, including across the whole of the European Union and
Switzerland
The GHIC is free to obtain from the official GHIC website. People
should apply at least 2 weeks before they plan to travel to
ensure their card arrives on time. Those with an existing EHIC
can use it up to expiry, and should someone forget either card
alternative arrangements can be made.
The government is still advising people travelling abroad to take
out travel insurance which includes medical cover. This is
because the GHIC may not provide cover for all events, like
medical repatriation back to the UK, ski or mountain rescue, or
for any treatment in a private facility
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The GHIC website is here: Apply for a UK Global Health
Insurance Card (GHIC) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
