A Jersey charity launched a free and subsidised healthcare programme yesterday for people on low incomes.
The average cost of a doctor's appointment in Jersey is £50 and with living costs higher than the UK, the charity Love Thy Neighbour said people who can’t afford it are skipping appointments.
“A lot of people just don't go because they can't afford it," said Colin Taylor, founder of Love Thy Neighbour.
A social security healthcare system exists in Jersey for long-term residents and people on benefits but according to Taylor, the system stops short of providing for people on low incomes.
“We have one guy staying at our charity’s alms house. He works and takes home £262 a week which is actually less than income support benefit,” said Taylor.
“So by the time you pay £100 towards your rent, you don’t have a lot to spend towards your food, doctors, clothes and everything else – especially if you’re someone who has one or two issues.”
The initiative by Love Thy Neighbour is currently available in two of the island’s 12 parishes but from the response to the new initiative yesterday, Love Thy Neighbour plans to branch into the third parish of Saint Saviour.
“We only launched the service today but we have had a huge response this morning from people wanting to access the service. We have also had interest from another doctor and dentist surgery wanting to get involved with the programme,” said Taylor on Wednesday.
The charity has reduced costs by negotiating special rates with doctors and dentists and has arranged with Lloyds Pharmacy to purchase drugs at cost price.
“The healthcare programme launched this morning and we have had a huge response with between 20 to 30 requests for help this morning," said Taylor.
Doubts over sustainability
Dr Nigel Minihane, head of the Primary Care Body which represents GPs in Jersey, expressed doubts over the programme’s long-term sustainability.
"It's very nice to hear that people are prepared to contribute to support others in this way but long-term that's not sustainable," he said.
"One of the things that's on the table behind the scenes is to look at what is possible and how we support individuals as soon as possible without putting them through extra stress,” he told the BBC.
But Taylor said the project has an active fundraising programme and is geared up to provide a long-term solution to Jersey’s social healthcare shortfalls.
“We fundraise, we get donations, but the main point is that we have been able to reduce the rates. We will continue to provide support. That’s just the nature of a charity. Everybody has to raise money.”
Last month politicians in Jersey agreed to introduce new laws to regulate the island's charity sector. The changes would bring in a public benefit test, a charity register, and charity commissioner and tribunal.
