Non-Urgent A&E Visits in Jersey Could Cost £77 Under 2026 Budget Plans

Patients attending Jersey’s Accident and Emergency department for minor health concerns may face a new £77 charge from next year, under proposals set out in the government’s 2026 Budget.

Ministers say around 14,000 people use A&E annually for issues that could be treated in the community, such as by a GP or pharmacist. They argue the fee is designed to encourage people to choose more appropriate healthcare services, not to generate additional revenue.

“Given the scale of the pressures faced in Health and Care Jersey, steps need to be taken now to protect our frontline healthcare services,” the Budget statement reads. “This includes bringing forward two new fees during 2026 to promote behavioural changes and reduce wasteful use of resources.”

The £77 charge mirrors the current cost of Jersey’s out-of-hours GP service, while non-residents would pay £97. By comparison, a daytime GP appointment typically costs about £40 for adults, with children and students seen free of charge.

Patients arriving at A&E with non-urgent conditions will be advised to seek help from their GP, Jersey Doctors on Call, or a pharmacist. If they still choose to be treated in the emergency department, the new fee would apply.

Missed Appointments Targeted

Alongside the A&E charge, ministers also want to tackle the problem of patients failing to attend outpatient appointments. Each year, around 12,000 people miss scheduled appointments without giving notice.

A £55 penalty is proposed—roughly half the cost of a standard outpatient consultation. A new booking system, making it easier for patients to reschedule online or by phone, will be introduced at the same time.

Certain groups, including mental health patients, children, and those in substance misuse programmes, would be exempt from the charge. An appeals process is also planned.

Initial public reaction has been critical, with some islanders questioning the fairness of charging for healthcare already supported by Social Security contributions.

One resident said: “We’re paying Social Security… we’re going to the hospital to have help, and we need to be charged? That is ridiculous.” Another added: “Sometimes you don’t know… you don’t have the knowledge of a doctor to know if it is actually serious or not.”

However, frontline staff have welcomed the proposals. A hospital consultant told Channel 103 that inappropriate A&E visits and missed outpatient appointments were placing increasing strain on limited resources.

“In emergency services and outpatients alike, demand is high,” they said. “Too often, patients who could be seen in the community are using A&E, which increases waiting times for genuine emergencies. Similarly, missed outpatient appointments waste capacity and delay treatment for those in need.”

The government says both fees are designed to reduce pressure on health services and ensure fairer access, stressing that no income targets have been attached to the proposals.