Reciprocal Health Agreement with UK

09 February 2009

Press Release 9th February 2009

On the 14th January 2009, the Right Honourable Dawn Primarolo MP, the Minister of State for the Department of Health, wrote to Jersey’s Chief Minister confirming the UK’s intention to withdraw from the Reciprocal Health Agreement on the 31st March 2009. On the 27th January 2009, Senator Perchard replied on behalf of the Council of Ministers, seeking a meeting with his UK counterpart to discuss these matters further and clarify healthcare arrangements for our respective tourists following any cessation of the agreement. Senator Perchard has sought to delay the termination of the agreement until January 2010 so that proposed changes can be adequately communicated.

Senator Perchard said; “It saddens me that there has been no face to face ‘co-operation and communication’ and the dialogue has been by email.  Given the importance of this matter, I would have thought that at the very least there should be face to face consultations in order that an amicable agreement can be reached.”

Senator Perchard awaits a response to this letter. 

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Notes to Editors:

The Reciprocal Health Agreement between the UK and the Channel Islands has been in place since 1976.

Guernsey and Alderney have agreed to terminate the agreement on the 31st March 2009.

The Isle of Man DHSS announced back in October 2008, that the United Kingdom, as part of an overall review of the health agreements it has with other nations, had indicated its intention to end the Bilateral Agreement (often referred to as the Reciprocal Agreement)  it has with the Isle of Man. No date for the termination of the Agreement has yet been agreed, but it is unlikely to be before 2010.

When the agreement ceases:

People from Jersey who visit the UK, whether for business or personal reasons, will have to pay if they need healthcare whilst there if they need anything other than A&E treatment. These changes will not affect people who are referred for specialist treatment in the UK. Specialist treatment is already paid for by the Health & Social Services Department and this will continue.