Health needs £8m. more just to maintain services

PATIENTS could be charged for some services as Health faces an estimated £8m. budget shortfall, it was revealed yesterday.

That amount would merely maintain current levels next year. No significant improvements could be introduced without charging.

Previous reports that had looked into the option of patients paying for pathology, radiology or accident and emergency services could now be dusted off and re-examined.

Health minister Hunter Adam announced the bombshell during question time at yesterday’s States meeting. He was being quizzed about whether the department should do more to maximise income from private patients.

At lunchtime he told the Guernsey Press that the indication from Treasury was that it would recommend his department got around £100m. in total to spend next year to cover items such as staff costs and routine capital.

One major factor in the shortfall was that the department had used about £2.3m. left over from previous years in its budget this year.

‘Every director is looking at their services and what, if any, cuts could be made, cost efficiencies made and unfortunately there will be no significant service developments over the next year,’ said Deputy Adam.

Health had around £1.4m.-worth of service developments that it was prioritising, including colorectal screening and extending breast cancer screening to 45-year-olds. (from thisisguernsey)


Looks like the once free health service is going to be no more...

When are ALL the States Depts going to realise that they cannot continue to expand in the current climate.If necessary cut some of their services.We must all take a little pain now or risk a hugely indepted future.

The day is drawing nearer when failure to provide health insurance will mean no treatment. Just like the USA.

looks like we are heading back to the previous health system in guernsey.have to pay for operations and have to pay full price for all drugs supplied on prescription.

How much is spent on staff? What portion is spent on recruiting staff from other countries on short term posts due to a lack of housing licences? Is money being needlessly wasted due to various States departments not getting together to resolve staffing / housing issues?

If it is anything like the UK NHS, how many administrators and senior staff are employed and do they actually add value to the whole thing? Would we be better off with fewer bosses and more workers?


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In Guernsey You pay next to nothing for health care and then bitch about it..............You get what you pay for.........Google what other countries pay for health care......... :x before you come back with a stupid replay.

Now now Alpbach..... !!

What's

a stupid replay

??



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Wait and see Dell...............

I'm waiting ........





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Albach1 has an interesting attitude. Dell is closer to the truth. I suggest Albach1 that the Guernsey people pay for health care through their taxes. Dell is right, is the money spent correctly ? are the correct checks and balances in place regarding expenditure.

Correct me if I am wrong but Guernsey was clever enough to have a report commisioned on your administration and it was found to be costly, badly run and wastefull. Did the consultants also look at the admin. of your health service ?

As a very rough rule of thumb the lakelands Cumbria area health trust has a £220.million pound budget for 320,000 people. Jersey has a massive budget of £155. million for 95,000 people and guess what, Jersey hospital always has its hand out for more money, and charges for x-rays and extras. Human nature, no accountabilty, no efficient use of resources.

Guernsey politicians if they are doing the job right will make sure that the people are getting good value for money before thinking of asking for more. Laws are easy to pass more difficult to bin.

Boatyboy.

What taxes? no vat.........very low income tax.......petrol is very cheap........even fags are cheap.etc...etc......... :Rant2:

You can tell Alpbach1 does not actually live here

fags are nearly £5.00 for 20.petrol ranges from 77.9 a litre to 85p a litre.income tax we have had freezes on for the last three years,no loan relief,insurance relief now.vat is not taken off by uk chains and we pay a premium for freightage in some shops.so maybe not so cheap to live here now

I cannot add anything to that Wayside and Thistle - I think you got it covered.....and it is mooted that when GST does come in it will start at 6%.....Electricity went up 17% and the company (which I thought was Guernsey plc) say they are running at a loss - so guess what for the hike come winter....