Breaking: Guernsey GP Fees Rise to £73,Sparking Access Concerns
The average cost of a general practice appointment in Guernsey has climbed to £73,up from £70.50 in 2025, according to an analysis of price lists from the island’s three main providers. The States of Guernsey provides a £12 subsidy to help offset part of the cost.
Health charities warn that the higher charge is prompting people with lower or middle incomes to skip or delay seeing a doctor.
Jim Roberts, chief executive of the guernsey Community Foundation, said many households feel they simply cannot afford the visit.“Lower and middle income households are thinking, ‘I just can’t afford that,’” he said.
Mat Dorrian, guernsey’s representative for the British Medical Association, noted that the cost of delivering healthcare has risen significantly worldwide as of growing demand. “There’s a lot of pressure on primary care and health‑care providers to sustain quality services at the same level,” he said. “Medical inflation is higher, and demand for services continues to grow.”
Delays in seeking care can worsen medical conditions, Dorrian warned, adding that rising costs become an even heavier burden when earnings and living standards do not keep pace with price increases. “As costs go up, and if incomes don’t rise accordingly, the problem will only worsen,” he said.
Officials are also focusing on prevention as a long‑term solution. A 2025 public Health assessment warned that if the system does not shift toward preventing ill health, Guernsey could face a crisis within the next two decades. Dorrian emphasized that the island’s lifestyle offers opportunities beyond medicine, including social prescribing and encouraging activities that keep people healthier.
The island’s Health and Social Care committee has indicated it will review the primary care sector as part of the government’s work plan, though no further comment has been provided yet.
Key figures at a glance
| Key fact | 2025 price | Current price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average cost of a GP visit (Guernsey) | £70.50 | £73 | Based on provider price listings; subsidy £12 |
| States subsidy for visits | N/A | £12 | Applied at access point |
| Global trend in healthcare costs | N/A | N/A | Costs rising worldwide due to higher demand |
guernsey’s leaders say prevention and community health strategies will be essential to maintaining access while costs rise.The balance between affordability and quality care remains a live public issue for island residents and policymakers alike.
Readers are encouraged to share their views on how Guernsey should protect access to care while prices climb, and whether preventive programs like social prescribing should be expanded to ease demand on medical services.
two questions for readers:
- Do you think healthcare costs should be capped or subsidized further to protect access?
- Would you support expanding preventive programs such as social prescribing to reduce demand for medical services?
Disclaimer: Health costs and subsidies can vary by provider and policy changes. This article reflects current figures and official statements at the time of writing.
Why have many residents in Guernsey become reluctant to see a GP after the fee was increased to £73?
.গুয়ের্নসিতে জিপি ফি £৭৩‑এ উত্থান, বাসিন্দারা ডাক্তারের কাছে যেতে উৎসুক নয় সম্পর্কে এক নজর।
